Sunday, 11th January 2009

Ten per cent of Tory voters say they will switch their votes to UKIP in the European election this June, according to a poll published in the Telegraph.

A YouGov survey for the TaxPayers Alliance and Global Vision puts UKIP core support at 7% for the Euro-vote on 4 June.

"This poll shows that our support is double what is was at this stage of the electoral cycle last time," said UKIP leader Nigel Farage MEP. "That means we can look forward to the people of Britain finally being able to have their say.

"On the issue of the European Union, UKIP is one of the big three parties, as the last Euro election showed. It is significant that in this survey, 45% of people say that the Tories, Labour and the LibDems do not reflect their views on Europe."

The Telegraph comments: "Significantly, 10% of Conservative voters at a general election would switch to UKIP in the Euro election, compared with 2% of Labour voters and 1% of those backing the LibDems."

The paper says Conservative support could fall still further if Kenneth Clarke returns to the Tory front bench and begins to make high-profile interventions on European matters.

Other main findings of the poll:

• 64% of the population demand radical change in Britain's relationship with the EU, including an end to political integration and the supremacy of the European Court. 48% of those favour a looser relationship based on trade and voluntary co-operation, whilst a further 16% support withdrawal from the EU. By comparison, only 22% of the population support Britain remaining an EU member on current terms.
• 64% of the public would vote no to Britain joining the Euro, compared to only 24% who would support Euro membership.
• The economic crisis has made people less likely to support joining the single currency - with 27% made less likely to support adopting the Euro, compared to 18% who are more likely to support adopting the currency.
• 59% of the population believe the British Government should disregard the EU’s VAT rules, should they feel that a further cut is necessary in the 2009 Budget. Only 25% believe the Government should obey the EU's rules.

Nigel Farage said: "The YouGov poll shows that the vast majority don't want to be part of the European Union as it is. Sixty-four per cent want weaker ties, not stronger, but as we know the europhiles didn't listen to the Dutch and their referendum, they didn't listen to the French and they're not listening to the Irish now.

"Equally, 64% don't want the euro and only 22% are happy with this ever closer union idea.

"This poll shows that what the people of Britain say is a resounding 'No' to more Europe and 'Yes' to our becoming sovereign and independent once again.

"Given that this is what the British people think, isn't it time we called the whole thing off?"

Matthew Elliott, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: "The EU affects almost every aspect of our lives, from the workplace to prices in the supermarket. It lands a huge cost on ordinary families that they can ill afford to bear, especially during the recession. People have a right to know how their money is being squandered in Brussels and we are going to expose what is really going on.

"The main political parties have let people down by avoiding or fudging the EU issue, but it has such a big impact on our day to day lives that it must be dealt with."

Ruth Lea, Director of Global Vision, said: "The current situation is simply unacceptable. The EU costs British people billions, and controls far too many of our national policies. The people want a new deal, where we can trade and cooperate with Europe but not suffer all the tax, bureaucracy and meddling that comes with full EU membership. That deal can be achieved, and it is in the interests of all of us that we take back control."

Read the poll in full at telegraph.co.uk

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