Brits oppose EU treaty, says poll
An ICM poll for the News of the World has found only a quarter of Brits would vote yes in a referendum on the European constitution.
The poll comes after Tony Blair launched a damaging U-turn on the issue, which pundits contend leaves him wide open to a possible leadership bid.
A massive 55 per cent said no to the question “”Do you believe Britain should sign up to the EU’s constitution?” 20 per cent were undecided.
But Mr Blair’s standing appears to have taken a battering on the issue. A mere ten per cent said the prime minister’s personal rating had increased, while 35 per cent said it had decreased.
In light of the poll, Michael Ancram, the Tory foreign affairs spokesman, said the EU constitution would mean more rescinding of power over to the EU.
“This poll shows that the British people understand this and they will not be fooled by a government that tries to twist the debate and scare them into thinking that they would be forced to leave the EU if they voted no.”
Labour will take heart from the fact more than half of interviewees said Britain should stay in the EU. 13 per cent were undecided.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,010 adults over 18 by telephone between April 22 to 24.
Another ICM survey, commissioned by the New Frontiers Foundation, showed only 21 per cent of voters would back the proposed EU treaty.
Responding to the polls, a Downing Street spokesman said: “These figures are not surprising, given that the debate has not begun yet. We do not have a final Constitution, but once people understand the reality of what is agreed, that is where a referendum can be won.”
Meanwhile, the prime minister has admitted his decision to hold a referendum may have backfired and further weakened his leadership.
The Sunday Times said Mr Blair informed senior aides that he “regrets” the “biggest U-turn of his career.”
And the Independent says Mr Blair has been warned a referendum on the constitution will have to be delayed at least until 2006.
