New data shows strong public support for the government to go further in securing better trade terms with the EU including among Labour voters who are now considering voting for Reform UK.
As the UK prepares to host EU leaders at a summit to agree greater cooperation, a poll of almost 5,000 people undertaken by YouGov on behalf of Best for Britain asked what people would accept to secure better trade terms with the EU.
It reveals public backing for things which are reportedly on the table for negotiations including; aligning with EU animal and plant standards (53% in favour vs 21% opposed), agreeing a new defence pact with the EU (69% vs 13%), a youth mobility scheme (63% vs 17%) and sharing access to fishing waters (43% vs 33%).
However, the data shows that the public are happy for the government to go even further in pursuit of a better trading relationship with our closest neighbours. Remarkably, a majority of voters (52%) would be open to aligning with all EU rules on goods and products with only a quarter opposed (25%) while seven in ten (71%) are open to the idea of an EU-UK common approach to customs regulation compared to one in ten (11%) who are not.
Crucially, this trend is mirrored among Labour voters who now say they are considering voting for Reform UK. This group is just as enthusiastic about a common approach to customs (72%) and following EU rules for goods and products (55%) if it means securing better trade terms.
Support for such an exchange skyrockets among all who voted Labour at the last election with seven in ten (72%) willing to accept the same rules for goods and almost nine in ten (85%) open to a common customs approach. Only 8% and 5% of Labour’s winning electoral coalition would not accept these terms respectively.
In a separate question the same poll reveals that around twice as many say the government is not going far enough in their negotiations with the EU (35%) compared to those who say they are going too far (19%) or that their current approach is about right (15%). Among Labour’s 2024 voters, a majority (54%) think the government could be more ambitious with only one in twenty (4%) thinking they should show greater restraint.
With the cost of living remaining the top public concern, removing technical barriers to trade via regulatory alignment can reduce prices, while independent economic analysis conservatively projects that it would deliver a 2.2% boost to UK GDP with the strongest growth in the North and Midlands.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain, said,
“Trade is about trade offs and this polling shows the British people understand that. They support the government being more ambitious in securing a common sense deal with the EU that removes technical barriers to trade which can bring down prices and boost growth across the UK.”
Andrew Lewin, Labour MP for Welwyn Hatfield and Chair of the UK Trade and Business Commission said,
“The Government deserves huge praise for signing trade deals with India and the US in quick succession and now it’s right to turn our focus back to the European Union. As our single largest trading partner, the economic prize on offer from a stronger partnership with the European Union is the biggest of all.
“This polling finds that 72% of people who voted Labour last July want a UK/EU deal in line with the stated aims of the Government or one that is even more ambitious. By contrast, just 4% of people who voted Labour last July believe the deal currently being talked about, ’goes too far.’ A clear majority of voters who put my party in power are ready for a closer relationship with the European Union.”
Peter Norris, Chair of Best for Britain said,
“Businesses are confronting really challenging trading conditions and urgently need the government to remove uncertainty and obstacles wherever possible.
“The EU-UK summit is the best possible opportunity to unlock growth while reducing costs for both businesses and consumers. Voters understand the importance of growing trade with Europe, and expect the government to be ambitious in achieving this objective "