Second Brexit referendum would see Britain remain in EU, report says

Anti-Brexit sentiment is at its highest rate since the referendum, with as many as 59% of people likely to opt to remain in the EU if a second vote was held, new research has found.

A report from leading social research institute NatCen, which is based on repeated interviews with 2,048 people, said that previously pro-Brexit voters now fear that leaving the EU will damage the UK’s economy.

“As many as 59% said they would vote Remain in another referendum, while only 41% indicated they would back Leave. This is by far and away the highest the level of support for Remain that we have recorded,” said the report.

Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out the possibility of a second referendum but Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party have not yet committed to backing or opposing a second vote.

The news will add fuel to the argument for a second vote and comes on the same day as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham gave qualified backing to a second referendum due to concerns that the country appears more likely to leave the EU without a deal in place.

“As a last resort, when everything else has failed, when we have tried to extend article 50 to get more time, then and only then should we consider holding a second vote,” said Burnham.

While expressing concern that such a vote could cause “real unrest” on the streets of his city, the former labour cabinet minister said voters were in consensus that a no-deal Brexit could not be allowed to happen.

“Public services are increasingly worried. Greater Manchester police tell me they’ve no idea what the arrangements are for cooperation with police forces around Europe. We even had the Brexit secretary talking up the idea of no deal in the Commons yesterday – that’s the time to get very worried,” said Burnham.