Wales would vote to rejoin the EU, says opinion poll

Wales would vote to rejoin the European Union according to a new opinion poll.

The ITV Wales poll found that 44 per cent would vote to rejoin the European Union, as opposed to 38 per cent who would vote against.

Wales narrowly voted to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum and the poll shows a slight swing to the pro-EU position, with 12 per cent of Leave voters now saying they would definitely vote to rejoin, and 9 per cent of Remain voters would vote against.

The poll results indicate a correlation between attitudes towards the EU and party loyalty. Of those who voted Conservative at the 2019 General Election, 80 per cent would vote against rejoining, whilst 69 per cent of those who voted Labour would vote in favour, as would 74 per cent of Plaid Cymru supporters.

‘Independence’ 

The poll suggests that although support for the idea of Welsh independence has grown in the last two years, the figures to have stabilised, with 22 per cent backing it, 53 per cent against, and 25 per cent who don’t know.

People’s sense of national identity is a major factor in their attitude to the EU, Welsh independence and devolution. When asked to pick just one nationality, more people said they’re Welsh than said they’re British.

According to the poll 45 per cent identify as Welsh, 41 per cent identify as British, and 6 per cent identify as English. While 1 per cent identify as Scottish, 1 per cent identify as Irish, 3 per cent as other, and three per cent who don’t know.

The Welsh Political Barometer poll, for ITV Cymru Wales and Cardiff University, had a sample of 1,018 Welsh voters aged 16 and over. It was carried out online by YouGov from 11-14 January 2021.