Britain's campaign to leave EU takes 4 percent point lead: ORB poll

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Fri Feb 26, 2016 3:26pm EST

Britain's campaign to leave EU takes 4 percent point lead: ORB poll

LONDON

The campaign to take Britain out of the European Union in a June 23 referendum has taken a 4 percentage-point lead, according to an online survey taken by the ORB pollster for The Independent newspaper published on Friday.

The poll, carried out on Feb. 24-25, showed support for the "out" campaign had risen to 52 percent from 48 percent a month ago, while support for the "in" campaign had fallen to 48 percent from 52 percent a month ago.

"Since last month we have seen a shift in opinion towards Brexit," Johnny Heald, managing director of ORB International, said in an email.

London Mayor Boris Johnson defied Prime Minister David Cameron last weekend and said he would campaign to leave the EU, but 60 percent of respondents in the ORB poll said Johnson's decision made them no more likely to vote to ditch membership.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-poll-idUSKCN0VZ2RS

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1. It will be a huge mistake for Britain to leave the EU

I suspect the Syrian refugee problem is driving the polls, but that is a relatively short term problem. Long term, Britain will be better off in the EU. Plus, this opens up the likelihood of another push for Scottish independence.