As UK-EU trade talks enter their final hours, Best for Britain releases exclusive new polling that shows voters want the Prime Minister to get a deal and not walk away from the table.
This new research shows Brits want the government to keep talking and keep trying to get the best deal for Britain, even after the end of the year.
And voters expect the PM to secure an extension to the transition period to allow the government, businesses and families time to prepare and implement the deal.
Extend transition to allow implementation
Voters were asked to imagine that a deal had been agreed between the UK and EU negotiators and to say whether they would support or oppose an extension to the transition period being included in such a deal.
Majority of voters support a deal containing a 'standstill clause' to allow time for businesses and people to implement the deal; just one in five oppose. Extension was more popular than no extension in every UK region as well as among Conservatives
All age groups support an extension
Get a deal and keep negotiating
Voters were asked to imagine that a deal had been agreed between the UK and EU negotiators and to say whether they would want the government to accept the deal or not.
A clear majority of people want the government to take the deal. And there is significant support for the government taking the deal now and continuing negotiations next year for a better deal for Britain.
Most people want a deal
Less than one in five want no-deal; a third want a deal and another third want a deal with further negotiations for a more comprehensive agreement.
Around half of Tories want the government to get a deal
Including 24% of Conservatives who are for negotiating something more comprehensive next year, compared to a third who want no-deal.
More Leave voters want a deal than want no-deal
A total of 44% of Leavers want to take the deal, including 24% of Leave voters who are for negotiating something more comprehensive next year.
All age groups want a deal
Over 50% of people in all age groups want to take the deal, including around a third of each age group who want the government to take the deal and keep negotiating for a more comprehensive deal in the New Year.
About the poll
All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The poll was commissioned by Best for Britain. Total sample size was 1,656 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 17th - 18th December 2020. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
YouGov asked two questions:
Q1. Please imagine the UK and EU agree a trade deal. Would you prefer the Government to: Take the deal; Take the deal, but begin negotiations next year for a better deal; Reject the deal and end the transition period without an agreement; Don’t know.
Q2. Please imagine the UK and the EU agree a trade deal. As part of this deal, the current transition period would be extended for a short period of time beyond the 1st January while the deal was implemented. Would you support or oppose including such an extension in any deal? Support including an extension; Oppose including an extension; Neither support nor oppose; Don’t know.
Data tables can be viewed here.
Speak out by contacting your MP
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