Tony Blair is the least-trusted politician in the EU debate, followed closely by Nigel Farage, according to the poll by Survation for British Future, released on the 40th anniversary of the 1975 referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.
Who do voters trust in EU debate? (not Blair or Farage!) http://t.co/tP3VZvJkSS #EUreferendum #EURef pic.twitter.com/uMlfOCoE1A
— British Future (@britishfuture) June 5, 2015
Steve Ballinger, Director of Communications at British Future told Sputnik:
"The referendum is wide open. Some of the most prominent voices of both sides — In and Out — are putting voters off. They just don't trust Tony Blair and Nigel Farage."
"They are singing to their own choirs. They have strong appeal to their own supporters — particularly Nigel Farage — but for those who are undecided, these voices don't appeal to them," Ballinger told Sputnik.
@britishfuture research shows over 70% of public undecided about whether or not Britain should leave the EU http://t.co/UZfmDyPqJx
— Katharine Howell (@HowellKA) June 5, 2015
The UK last held a referendum in 1975 on its continued membership of the European Economic Community which it had joined in 1973. In the run-up to joining it, the — then — Prime Minister Edward Heath had promised that the UK was joining and economic union and said that further European integration would not happen "except with the full-hearted consent of the Parliaments and peoples of the new member countries."
Since then, the European Union has expanded enormously its powers and has become more of a political union, which many older people see as a betrayal of the previous referendum.
Ballinger told Sputnik:
"The majority of people who voted then are probably voting 'Out' now. Whether they do feel betrayed, I don't know but it's certainly a strong narrative in the 'Out' camp — particularly those who are definitely in that camp, including UKIP supporters."
"There's definitely a conspiracy narrative there."
Seventy Percent Still Undecided on EU Membership
Over 70% of Britons are still not fully decided on how they would vote in a referendum on Britain's EU membership and are waiting to see what deal David Cameron can strike with other EU leaders. Most have a preference but remain uncertain: they are the 'Leaners', with 31% saying they are "leaning towards voting to stay in the EU" and 28% "leaning towards voting to leave the EU." Both say they want to know what the conditions are before making up their minds. 13% simply can't choose, answering "don't know."
The politician most trusted when talking about whether Britain should remain in the EU is Prime Minister David Cameron on 49% — perhaps unsurprisingly straight after his election victory. The PM remains distrusted on Europe by 41% of the public, predominantly those whose minds are firmly set for 'In' or 'Out'. Cameron's appeal is strongest among the 'Leaners'.
The new poll also asked which voices outside of politics would be trusted when they talk about whether Britain should stay in the EU. Most trusted were an economist (63% trust, 24% distrust), the boss of a small business (62% trust, 18% distrust), a farmer (62% trust, 22% distrust), a fisherman (59% trust, 23% distrust) and a university Vice-Chancellor (49% trust, 25% distrust).
