Public backing for second Brexit vote climbs - poll
2 min read
Support for a second referendum on Britain's exit from the European Union has climbed in the past month, according to a new poll.
A fresh study for the Independent by pollster BMG found 48% of the public would now back a vote on any deal struck between the UK and the EU - up from 44% just four weeks ago.
Fewer than a quarter (24%) of the 1,500 people surveyed were opposed to second vote, down three points over the same period.
Sixteen percent said they did not have strong feelings either way, while 11% said they did not know.
The poll will also make grim reading for Theresa May, with 49% saying the Prime Minister should be replaced if she cannot strike a Brexit deal her Cabinet can rally behind, up from 46% last month.
Meanwhile, 52% of people believed a fresh election should be called if Mrs May is ousted as Tory leader, up a percentage point on last month's figures.
The poll meanwhile found that just 14% of people would support Mrs May's controversial Chequers plan in a second vote, while more than a quarter (27%) said the UK should quit the bloc without a deal.
Of those surveyed, 43% said they would support the UK staying inside the EU.
The poll comes amid reports that Tory Eurosceptics are preparing to ambush the Prime Minister with a rival 'Clean Brexit' plan on the eve of Conservative party conference.
The alternative policy paper, spearheaded by top Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg, will seek to win the backing of up to 80 Tory MPs in a bid to force Mrs May to change course.
