Sky Poll Reveals Huge Divide on Europe

Sky News Poll Reveals Huge Divide On Europe


An exclusive poll finds the UK could be split right down
the middle over EU membership when voters have their say in a referendum.


6:45am UK,
Wednesday 05 June 2013

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  Click through this gallery to see the questions asked and responses given in
  a Sky News poll on Britain's European Union membership.
  
  
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Gallery: EU Poll: Questions And
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By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Britain's future in Europe is on a knife-edge, according to the
shock results of an exclusive Sky News poll on how the country would vote in an
EU referendum.

Asked if the UK should remain a member of the European Union, a tiny majority
of voters said No. And the biggest concern to voters was the power to control
immigration.

The poll, by Survation, will send shockwaves through the high command of the
three major parties, whose leaders are all broadly in favour of Britain
remaining in the EU.

But it will provide a huge boost for Nigel Farage's UKIP and Tory
Euro-sceptics, suggesting there is everything to play for in the referendum
promised by David Cameron in 2017.

Asked: "Do you think the UK should remain a member of the EU?" - 44% said
Yes, 45% No and 11% Don't Know. When the answers were adjusted to exclude Don't
Knows, the result was 49% Yes and 51% No.

The poll also suggests that even though a referendum could be four years
away, the vast majority have made up their mind and will not be swayed by the
political debate between now and 2017.

Asked: "How certain are you that you would actually vote this way in a real
referendum?" - 51% said they would definitely vote this way and nothing could
change their mind and 45% said they would probably vote this way.

The results of our poll will also boost UKIP in the answers voters gave when
asked what powers they want to see clawed back from Brussels in negotiations
promised by the Prime Minister.
Manuel Barroso and David Cameron

Voters were asked: "If there was to be a renegotiation of the UK's
relationship with the EU, which of the following areas (if any) currently under
EU control would you most like to see returned to the UK?"

Way out in front, on 65% was the power to control immigration between EU
countries, an issue championed by UKIP and identified by Mr Farage as his
party's top priority.

Next came policing and criminal justice powers, such as the European Arrest
Warrant, on 45%, and third employment law, on 40%, ahead of the Common
Agricultural Policy and Common Fisheries Policy, on 36%.

The poll also revealed that most voters know little about the main figures in
the EU, such as Brussels supremos Manuel Barroso, Herman Van Rompuy and Cathy
Ashton.

Only 23% recognised Mr Barroso when shown a photo, 19% recognised Mr Van
Rompuy and 23% Ms Ashton. Yet 74% recognised German Chancellor Angel Merkel, 52%
French President Francois Hollande and 98% Mr Cameron.