Public opinion is moving towards supporting a Brexit referendum deal
Opinion polling findings about whether or not people want a referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal once they are known vary significantly depending on the exact wording. Add to that the usual warnings about not being beguiled by the variations in any one poll that may simply be statistical noise and the usual good advice to pay attention to the trends applies all the more so.
Which is why the significance in today’s YouGov polling for The Times is not that those wanting a second referendum now outnumber those opposed on this question wording but rather the trend over the last couple of months:
This adds to the other evidence that there is a gradual, fragile but very real trend towards supporting Britain being in the EU.
An example of those changing views is Gary Lineker:
The fact that someone has changed their mind means, if anything, that their view is more significant rather than something to be dismissed – because it shows opinions shifting. https://t.co/1l3kK5ippD
— Mark Pack 🔶 (@markpack) July 26, 2018
UPDATE: For more on this topic, listen to the Polling Matters podcast.
“Opinion polling findings about whether or not people want a referendum on the terms of the Brexit deal once they are known vary significantly depending on the exact wording.”
Indeed – and for me the key wording is that of the putative referendum. I voted Remain and now want the softest of Brexits – Labour’s “BRINO” I guess – therefore I would have answered “No” to this question since any referendum would either lead to accepting whatever deal the government eventually negotiates (achieving nothing) or presumably leaving under WTO rules – the hardest possible exit.