More than 100 Westminster constituencies switch Brexit allegiance from Leave to Remain - study
2 min read
More than 100 Westminster constituencies that voted for Brexit have switched support to Remain, according to a shock new analysis.
A study of two YouGov polls of more than 15,000 people - seen by the Observer - showed 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.”
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