Brexit: Labour would fall behind Lib Dems if Corbyn backs May's deal, polls finds

Survey suggests millions of young people could desert party over issue

Labour will fall behind the Liberal Democrats if Jeremy Corbyn helps Theresa May secure a Brexit deal, according to the latest YouGov poll.

The new survey shows Labour would slump to third place, on 22 per cent behind the Liberal Democrats on 26 per cent, should the party support the Conservatives in pushing a deal through parliament.

The poll, commissioned by the People’s Vote campaign, suggests millions of young people could desert the party over the issue. Labour’s support among 18 to 29-year-olds would be halved from 60 per cent to just 33 per cent if the party backs a compromise deal to leave the EU.

Those who voted for Mr Corbyn’s party at last year’s general election and also voted Remain in 2016 said they are more likely to switch to the Lib Dems (49 per cent) than vote Labour (41 per cent) at the next election.

The survey suggests there is little downside to Labour backing a second referendum. Among Labour supporters another vote is massively popular, with 77 per cent in favour and just 23 per cent against.

The YouGov poll also shows growing support for Britain remaining in the EU more generally.

When asked to choose between staying in the EU and Ms May’s Brexit deal, Remain enjoys an 18-point lead: 59 to 41 per cent. Counting only those who say they are certain to vote, Remain currently leads by 63 to 37 per cent.

The biggest single reason why Remain has moved into a clear lead is that few Leave voters now think Brexit will make the economy better.

Three months ago, 43 per cent of Leave voters thought Brexit would make the country’s economy stronger, while just 12 per cent feared it would make it weaker. Today, only 24 per cent of Leave voters say it would make Britain economically stronger, while 26 per cent say it would make the nation weaker.

Amanda Chetwynd-Cowieson, co-founder of campaign group For our Future’s Sake, said young people had helped create a significant shift as momentum grows for a Final Say vote. Some 79 per cent of 18 to 29-year-olds would vote to stay in the EU if another vote is held, according to the YouGov survey of 5,000 voters.

“Young people have always been clear – we believe in having a People’s Vote, and that there is no better deal with the EU than the one we have now,” said Ms Chetwynd-Cowieson.

“Unfortunately, Labour’s position on Brexit has been anything but clear – putting at risk the futures of millions of young people across the United Kingdom. If they back Brexit, this polls shows that young people may no longer back Labour.”

On Sunday bookmaker William Hill said a second referendum is now the most likely Brexit scenario.

The company said a new vote before the end of 2020 is a “probability rather a possibility”, becoming the first bookie to give it a greater than 50 per cent chance of happening.