Britian's relationship with the EU (November 2006); results

Summary

In November 2006, the Centre for Policy Studies commissioned an ICM poll on the public's views on Britain's relationship with the European Union.

The poll showed strong support (51%) for Britain to be in a looser arrangement with Europe where there would be free trade and cooperation on common policies, but opting out of political and economic integration. 23% favoured complete withdrawal and 23% preferred remaining a full member of the EU. Nearly three quarters of respondents, therefore, wanted a different relationship with the EU from the status quo. 53% thought it was realistic to negotiate a looser relationship, whilst 44% thought it was unrealistic.    

There was also strong support for the British Government, rather than the EU, controlling key policy areas. This was especially the case for employment, immigration and defence matters. But it also applied to farming and fisheries, economic development, foreign affairs and, to a lesser extent, foreign aid and trade. Two thirds of respondents agreed with the view that "Britain could be more prosperous if we had more control of our own affairs".  

Results

The poll showed that the public understand the importance of globalisation for the UK's future trade. Some 26% of respondents saw Europe as the most important region for Britain's future economic growth. This compared with those favouring China (39%), the USA (15%) and India (8%). (Question 2.)

When asked which factors were important to Britain's economy a net balance of 85% felt that having strong trading relationships with countries outside Europe was important. (The net balance is calculated by subtracting those answering unimportant from those answering important.)  Balances of 82% and 78%, respectively, felt that English being a world language and free trade across Europe were important factors. The equivalent balances for the three factors of applying common EU regulations, having free movement of people across Europe and being a member of the EU were 35%, 33% and 31% respectively. (Question 3.)

When asked whether the British Government or the EU should be controlling key policy areas, the balance of answers (those supporting the British Government minus those supporting the EU) favoured the British Government in all cases. A balance of 65% favoured the British Government in employment matters, 55% in immigration policy, 48% in defence, 35% in farming and fisheries, 33% in economic development, 30% in foreign affairs, 17% in foreign aid and 11% in trade. (Question 4.)

66% of respondents agreed with the view that "Britain could be more prosperous if we had more control of our own affairs". (Question 6.)

Just over half (51%) the respondents felt that Britain's ideal relationship with Europe was a looser arrangement where there would be free trade and cooperation on common policies, but opting out of political and economic integration. Nearly a quarter (23%) wished to stay as a full member of the EU and nearly a quarter (23%) wished to withdraw. (Question 7.)

When asked whether it was realistic for the UK to renegotiate its position with the EU to maintain free trade but opt out of political and economic integration views were split. 53% thought it was realistic whilst 44% thought it was unrealistic. There were concerns that, if the UK negotiated a looser relationship, the other EU countries would, for example, make it more difficult for the Britain to trade. There was also doubt that Britain would be able to get back the powers already transferred to the EU. (Questions 8 and 9.)

Download the full CPS/ICM poll

Technical note: These polls were conducted by ICM Research on behalf of the Centre for Policy Studies. The fieldwork of 1,000 people was conducted on 8-9 November 2006.

Appendix: main findings

Question 2: Thinking about future markets for export of British goods and services, which ONE of these regions do you think will be the most important to Britain's future economic growth? % of respondents.

Question 3: How important do you think each of the following are to the British economy? % of respondents.

1.         "Very important" plus "Quite important".

2.         "Not very important" plus "Not important at all".

Question 4: For each of the following policy areas, do you think they should be controlled by the EU or the British government? % of respondents.

Question 6: Which of these statements comes closest to your view? % of respondents.

Question 7: If the UK could have the ideal relationship with Europe, which of the following would you yourself prefer? % of respondents.

Question 8: How realistic do you think it is for the UK to renegotiate its position with the EU to maintain a free trade area but opt out of political & economic integration? % of respondents.

1.         "Very realistic" plus "Quite realistic".

2.         "Not very realistic" plus "Not realistic at all".

Question 9: If the UK were to renegotiate its position with the EU to maintain a free trade area but opt out of political & economic integration, to what extent would you agree or disagree with the following? % of respondents.

1.         "Agree strongly" plus "Tend to agree".

2.         "Tend to disagree" plus "Disagree strongly".

RL, February 2007