New Poll: UK Majority Back Extension Of Brexit Date

A majority of British people now back an extension of next week's Brexit deadline, according to a new YouGov poll.



The poll came on the same day that British Prime Minister Theresa May told MPs that she has formally requested an extension from the EU until June 30.



A total of 52 percent of people now want the deadline pushed back, compared to 35 percent who say the UK should leave March 29, nine days from now.



Only 10 percent of the 2,000 people surveyed on Tuesday, March 19, believe any extra time should be used only to make fresh efforts at getting the prime minister's deal over the line -- with the overwhelming majority of those backing an extension, saying they want MPs to consider other options including a softer Brexit, a general election, or a new referendum.



The poll suggested that 13 percent of voters back the so-called Norway option for Brexit, in which the U.K. would remain in a customs union and single market relationship after leaving the EU.



- People's vote



A majority of those expressing their opinion in this survey say, 56 to 44 percent, they want a new public vote on Britain's future relationship with the EU.



The poll was published Wednesday morning at a People's Vote event for the Foreign Press Association in London, ahead of the campaign's mass march in the capital on Saturday, which is certain to be watched closely by EU leaders for further evidence that U.K. public opinion is shifting.



Today's poll says that if people were given the chance in a new vote, a clear majority would prefer to stay in the EU rather than support either the May's proposed terms for Brexit or leave without any deal.



Staying in the EU would beat the current Brexit deal 60 to 40 percent in a fresh referendum – and also defeat a "no-deal" departure from the EU 56 to 44 percent, the poll also says.



Peter Kellner, former head of YouGov, said: "Down the years, poll after poll has testified to British pragmatism. We generally welcome compromise solutions to tough problems. Most of us like to live at or near the political center. We prefer practical policies to clever theories."



"Brexit is different," Kellner said.



"Few voters favor any of the attempts that different politicians have made to build consensus somewhere between no deal and no Brexit," he added.



He said: "A clear majority rejects the government's withdrawal agreement. An even larger majority dislikes a softer Brexit, with Remain voters regarding it as a poor substitute for EU membership – and Leave voters viewing it as a betrayal of the 2016 referendum result.



"And a mere 10 percent back Theresa May's plan for a short delay to Brexit. More than three out of four voters want either Brexit to go ahead next week without a deal, or to extend the Article 50 for long enough to solve the problem properly."



Kellner said it is hard to "see any outcome that won't annoy a large number of voters."



"However, the economic risks of going ahead with No Deal, and the political dangers of implementing the withdrawal agreement or soft Brexit, all look to be greater than giving voters the chance in a new referendum to decide whether to leave the EU at all."



A European Council summit due tomorrow will discuss the requested extension until June 30.



If agreed, the new Brexit date will have to be ratified by the 27 members of the bloc before it can be formally approved by Brussels. -