A massive new MRP poll has revealed that every constituency in Britain thinks the Government should prioritise trade with the EU over the USA and other countries.
The poll and analysis of almost 15,000 people undertaken by YouGov on behalf of Best for Britain shows that across England, Scotland and Wales, nearly one in two respondents (46%) said the EU should be the Government’s top priority when it comes to trade whereas less than half this number (21%) opted for the US. 4% thought the Government’s focus should be China while 6% favoured another country.
The astounding results have been published just days after Donald Trump was sworn in as US President for the second time, promising tariffs on China and the EU. The findings mark a disappointment for vocal Trump supporter and EU critic Nigel Farage MP, whose constituency of Clacton did not buck this trend. It is a similar story in Boston and Skegness which recorded the strongest Leave vote in the 2016 referendum.
Crucially, the desire for closer EU-UK ties was even stronger among voters who switched from Conservative to Labour at the last election (57%). Of everyone who voted Labour at the last election, two thirds (66%) think the Government should prioritise trade with the EU compared to a paltry 9% for Trump's America.
Strong support for prioritising trade with the EU was also found in the constituencies most heavily targeted by Labour at the last General Election including Ribble Valley and Stoke-on-Trent. In Scotland and Wales, which will hold Holyrood and Senedd elections next year, battleground seats like Llanelli and Stirling and Strathallan also back prioritising trade with the EU.
The urgency of the UK increasing trade with the EU was underlined on Tuesday as Trump reaffirmed his intention to impose tariffs on all imports as early as next weekend, increasing costs for businesses and consumers around the world, including the UK.
Campaigners have highlighted several ways the Government can remove barriers to trade, boost growth and reduce costs for consumers while respecting the Government’s stated red lines of remaining outside the EU Single Market and Customs Union, and not reinstating freedom of movement.
Alongside the much discussed Youth Mobility Scheme, Best for Britain is pushing for a Mutual Recognition Agreement of Conformity Assessments (MRC) as a potential game-changer for British businesses swamped by costly red tape. A MRC, which both the EU and UK have with many other nations but not each other, would remove the need for UK manufacturers to have their products tested twice for sale in the EU and UK.
Naomi Smith, Chief Executive of Best for Britain said,
“Trade doesn’t have to be either-or but it’s clear that when it comes to priorities, from Cairnryan to Clacton and Newport to Newcastle, Britain wants a closer relationship with the EU first.
“With Trump threatening new tariffs as soon as next week, the Government should listen to voters and break down trade barriers with our largest market before pursuing deals elsewhere. That's how Starmer can meet his growth ambitions, ease price rises for UK consumers and give British businesses a fighting chance in an increasingly protectionist world.”
Retro Supplies is a Norfolk based firm which uniquely manufactures and exports computer parts that are out of production. Its founder Andrew Hutchings said,
“I previously sold to both the EU and US but new trade barriers between the UK and EU wiped out almost a third of my total exports overnight and because so few others do what we do, I’m now in the crazy position of declining orders from European customers.
“My US sales have not made up for this shortfall. The best way the Government can help small businesses like mine is removing these barriers wherever they can as fast as they can.”