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Source: Getty

In The Media
Carnegie Europe

Has “Leave” Really Just Shot to a Ten Point Lead? Don’t Be So Sure

It would be wise to view a new poll on Brexit with caution.

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By Peter Kellner
Published on Jan 8, 2018
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The Europe Program in Washington explores the political and security developments within Europe, transatlantic relations, and Europe’s global role. Working in coordination with Carnegie Europe in Brussels, the program brings together U.S. and European policymakers and experts on strategic issues facing Europe.

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Source: Prospect Magazine

Just before Christmas, I warned Remainers not to get too excited about a poll showing a ten point lead for staying in the EU. The opposite now applies. In his latest column for the Sunday Times, Dominic Lawson reports a YouGov poll showing a Leave lead widening from two to nine points in the past three months. Once again, I doubt whether there has been any real shift in public opinion.

The poll Lawson cites was one of YouGov’s Eurotracker series. It is conducted monthly, but this particular question is asked less frequently. This is how it is worded:

At this point would you prefer that Britain stays in or leaves the European Union?

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This op-ed was originally published by Prospect Magazine.

About the Author

Peter Kellner

Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie Europe

Kellner was a nonresident scholar at Carnegie Europe, where his research focused on Brexit, populism, and electoral democracy.

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Peter Kellner
Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie Europe
Peter Kellner
EUPolitical ReformEuropeWestern EuropeUnited KingdomIran

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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