A survey run by Suffolk EU Alliance has claimed to show an appetite for a second referendum in Ipswich.
A Suffolk-based EU campaign group has quizzed the people of Ipswich on Brexit, in the latest of several events designed to gauge public opinion across the county.
On Saturday, September 22, Suffolk EU Alliance set up a stall and interactive survey opposite the town hall – which they claim uncovered an appetite for a second referendum on the streets of Ipswich.
People from all walks of life were encouraged to have their say by putting stickers on the question sheet, indicating how they felt the Government was handling negotiations and whether the final deal should be put back into the hands of the people.
The organisation estimates roughly 160 people took part.
The ‘Brexitometer’ required participants to vote for one of five options: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Don’t Know, Agree, or Strongly Agree, in answer to the following questions:
• Brexit will be good for jobs and the economy in Ipswich
• Brexit will be good for the NHS
• Brexit will improve the UK’s standing in the world
• The Government/MPs are doing a good job of negotiating Brexit
• There should be a ‘People’s Vote’ on the final deal
The organisation claims that those who did express their opinion – either in word or by putting stickers on the sheet – were overwhelmingly of the view that the Government is making a bad job of the negotiations, and there should be a People’s Vote allowing the electorate to compare what was promised by the Leave campaign with what the Government actually negotiates.
One of the organisers, Philip Gough, said: “The country is still split on the merits of the UK’s membership of the EU. But Ipswich on Saturday was similar to the other towns we have been visiting recently: the public mood is shifting against Brexit.
“People don’t trust the government to deliver a good deal, and many want another say on the defining issue of our age.”
Sandy Martin, MP for Ipswich, said if the Conservatives led the UK out of the EU without a deal, it would make “perfect sense” to hold a second vote.
He said: “If the Conservatives are unable to negotiate a Brexit which defends British jobs and rights and the environment, then they should stand down and give the British people the chance to elect a government that won’t make empty promises.
“And if they won’t do that, and we end up leaving the EU without a deal – which was not what people voted for in the referendum – then I think it would make perfect sense to give people the right to vote again on the outcome.”
The campaign group Best for Britain carried out a nationwide poll in August which showed over 100 constituencies – including Ipswich – had switched from leave to remain since the referendum. In 2016, 43.4% of people in Ipswich voted remain, while 56.6% voted leave; in 2018, polling suggested that 52.8% would now vote remain, and 47.2% leave.
The Ipswich survey was the latest event in a tour run by Suffolk EU Alliance covering Halesworth, Woodbridge and Felixstowe, designed to gauge the public mood around Brexit.
It may be argued that the survey only represented the views of a fraction of voters.
Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts on Brexit by voting in our independent poll.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here