| Author (Corporate) | NatCen Social Research |
|---|---|
| Publisher | NatCen Social Research |
| Series Title | Press Release |
| Series Details | 23.05.16 |
| Publication Date | 23/05/2016 |
| Content Type | News, Report |
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A report published on the 23 May 2016 by NatCen Social Research uncovered widespread Euroscepticism among the British public, majority support for wide ranging reforms to the EU, and considerable concern about the cultural impact of the EU. However, a majority seemed unlikely to vote to leave unless they are also persuaded – as they have not been so far – that Britain would be better off economically outside the EU. The paper, the latest in the ESRC funded WhatUKThinks:EU project, presented new data from NatCen’s latest British Social Attitudes survey. It showed that two thirds of the British public can be considered Eurosceptic; 65% either wanted the UK to leave the EU (22%) or for the EU’s powers to be reduced (43%). Only once since 1992 has a higher level of Euroscepticism been uncovered by BSA. Even in Scotland, often considered to be more pro-European than the rest of Britain, Eurosceptics were in the majority; 43% wantedthe EU’s powers reduced and 17% wanted to leave, more than at any time since 1999. This Euroscepticism was reflected in majority support for radical changes to the way the EU works. + Two thirds (68%) favour reducing the ability of EU migrants to access welfare benefits. Behind this scepticism lies widespread concern about the cultural impact of EU membership. Nearly half (47%) agree that membership of the EU is ‘undermining Britain’s distinctive identity, while just three in ten (30%) disagree. In or Out? So why is support for withdrawing from the EU less than half the level of Euroscepticism? The report suggests that concerns about the negative cultural impact of EU membership, while linked closely to Euroscepticism, are not always sufficient to persuade someone that Britain should actually leave the EU. For scepticism to translate into support for withdrawal, voters need also to be convinced of the economic case for leaving. And at present most are not. + Only 24% believe that Britain’s economy would be better off if Britain left the EU, while as many as 40% feel it would be worse off. + Only two in five (40%) of those who believe that the EU is undermining Britain’s identity but who are not convinced that the economy would be better say that they wish to withdraw from the EU. But that figure is at least double (82%) amongst those whose cultural concern is married with a belief in the economic benefits of withdrawal. Prof John Curtice, Senior Research Fellow, NatCen Social Research said: 'Britain is as sceptical about Europe as it has ever been, feelings that seem to be largely driven by concerns about the impact the EU is having on the nation’s identity and cultural life, not least as a result of high levels of EU immigration. However, for most people on its own this scepticism is not enough to warrant leaving the EU. The Leave campaign evidently needs to persuade more voters of its economic arguments, while Remain has to assure voters that the economic advantages of membership are worth putting up with interference from Brussels'. |
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| Source Link | http://www.bsa.natcen.ac.uk/media-centre/latest-press-releases/bsa-33-brits-are-deeply-eurosceptic-but-may-still-vote-to-remain-in-the-eu.aspx |
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| Countries / Regions | United Kingdom |
