Britons think a Brexit will boost our coffers in the long term, but they’re still voting to remain
Britons believe a Brexit would cause a short term shock to the economy but leave us financially better off in the long term – but they’re still voting to remain in the EU.
26 per cent of respondents said that voting to leave the EU on 23 June would be better for Britain’s economy over the next five years, compared to 49 per cent who said it would be worse and the remainder saying it would make no difference or they didn’t know, according to Ipsos Mori’s new political monitor.
However, when asked about Britain’s economy over the next 10 to twenty years, the number of people who thought it would be better outside the EU rose to 39 per cent, overtaking the 35 per cent who said it would be worse.
Despite the belief that a Brexit would be better financially in the long term, 55 per cent of respondents said they will vote to remain in the EU, compared to 37 per cent who said they will vote to leave.
The largest shift came from the number of Conservative voters who have gone from being in favour of leaving in last month’s poll to 60 per cent wanting to remain this month.
However, Conservative supporters are also more likely to say they may change their minds, at 36 per cent.
“Remain has been boosted by a Conservative swing, but they are also more likely to change their mind, so in this volatile election, with voters divided over the short and long-term impacts of their decision, nothing can be taken for granted,” said Gideon Skinner, head of political research at Ipsos Mori.
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The economy is the top issue on voters’ minds when it comes to how they will vote in the referendum, cited by 33 per cent of respondents, followed by immigration at 28 per cent.
Despite prime minister David Cameron’s assertions that leaving the EU would be worse for peace and stability in Europe, only 31 per cent agreed with him, while 58 per cent said it would make no difference.
On the topical matter of national security, respondents were split, with 29 per cent thinking we would be better off alone, while 34 per cent said we would be safer as part of the EU.
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