Menu
Subscribe to Holyrood updates

Newsletter sign-up

Subscribe

Follow us

Scotland’s fortnightly political & current affairs magazine

Subscribe

Subscribe to Holyrood
by
13 August 2018
More than 100 Westminster constituencies have switched to Remain, finds YouGov

Image credit: PA

More than 100 Westminster constituencies have switched to Remain, finds YouGov

More than 100 Westminster constituencies that voted for Brexit have switched support to Remain, according to new analysis by YouGov.

From a sample of more than 15,000 people - seen by the Observer – the poll found most seats in Britain now contain a majority of voters who want to stay in the EU.

The findings could shift the Brexit battleground in parliament among MPs whose constituencies voted to Leave in the 2016 referendum but are now thought to back Remain.

According to the research by a consumer analytics company called Focaldata, the shift has taken place predominantly among Labour voters who backed Brexit.

Of the 632 seats in England, Scotland and Wales that were examined, 112 had switched from Leave to Remain, with 341 now backing EU membership compared with 229 backing Brexit.

One of those thought to have switched is the Uxbridge seat held by Boris Johnson - a key figure in the official Vote Leave campaign.

Seats held by pro-Brexit Tory Michael Gove, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Leave-backing Labour MPs Frank Field, Graham Stringer and Kelvin Hopkins also showed big swings to Remain, the study found.

The research was commissioned by pro-EU group Best for Britain and anti-racism group Hope Not Hate.

Best for Britain boss Eloise Todd told the Observer: “This groundbreaking research shows that Brexit is still not inevitable.

“People across the UK have witnessed the last two years of uncertainty with dismay and are thinking differently – 112 constituencies have switched to majorities that back staying in our current bespoke deal with the EU.

“The sands of public opinion are shifting and politicians risk falling behind. Our research shows that the deal must be put to the people.

“Westminster should legislate for a people’s vote on the Brexit terms, giving the public the option to stay and build our future on our current deal with the EU.”

Holyrood Newsletters

Holyrood provides comprehensive coverage of Scottish politics, offering award-winning reporting and analysis: Subscribe

Get award-winning journalism delivered straight to your inbox

Get award-winning journalism delivered straight to your inbox

Subscribe

Popular reads
Back to top