EU referendum: Tony Blair regarded as least trustworthy politician to lead campaign for UK to stay
By a majority of more than two to one (59 per cent to 28 per cent) he is mistrusted over the EU, according to a new poll
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pro-Europeans should think twice before giving Tony Blair a leading role in the campaign to keep Britain in the bloc, a survey has found.
The public regard the former Prime Minister as the least trusted politician in the debate over the merits of European Union membership.
By a majority of more than two to one (59 per cent to 28 per cent) he is mistrusted over the EU, according to a poll by Survation for the think tank British Future. The hostility is shared by all sections of the electorate – even if they are determined to vote to remain in the EU in the referendum promised by David Cameron by the end of 2017.
Mr Blair will be invited to play a prominent role in the campaign to keep Britain in the EU. One of his allies, Lord Sainsbury of Turville, a billionaire member of the supermarket chain family, is providing transitional funding for an umbrella “Yes to Europe” campaign to be launched this year.
The former Prime Minister’s friends insist he could be a persuasive voice in the campaign and win over some “undecideds”, many of whom will have voted Labour in the three general elections he won. One recalled: “He made a very good speech on Europe at the start of this year’s election campaign and it silenced everyone else.”
The research, released on the 40th anniversary of the 1975 referendum on Britain’s membership of the Common Market, found the Ukip leader, Nigel Farage, was the second most distrusted figure in the Europe debate.
Although he is believed by strong supporters of “Brexit”, the larger number who are undecided on the issue are hostile to him.
By contrast, Mr Cameron, who has embarked on a lengthy series of meetings with EU leaders to set out his case for renegotiating Britain’s membership, is the most trusted politician.
The survey also found more than 70 per cent of voters have not definitively made up their minds how to vote in the referendum and are waiting to see the deal struck by Mr Cameron.
Just 16 per cent say they are “definitely in” and 12 per cent “definitely out”. Most people are “leaners”, with 31 per cent leaning towards remaining in the EU, and 28 per cent leaning towards leaving.
Sunder Katwala, British Future’s director, said: “The EU referendum is wide open. Either side could win. Their problem is that the most prominent and passionate voices could help them to lose.
“Both Nigel Farage and Tony Blair appear to be rather more likely to harm their cause than help it, when preaching beyond the already converted.
“This research suggests both sides of the referendum campaign might want to be wary of those keenest to lead the charge for them.”
The Prime Minister won an early boost in his marathon negotiations yesterday when the German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU could consider changing its treaties as the price for persuading Britain to remain within the bloc.
Mr Cameron has argued that treaty change is essential to impose new limits on the entitlement of EU nationals to receive benefits in Britain.
He has run into early opposition in France and Poland, but Ms Merkel said she was confident conditions could be created for Britain to stay in.
“I’m optimistic that if we all want it, we’ll find a good solution,” she told the BBC.
“It’s not about losing sleep over this, but about doing our work and creating the necessary preconditions for Britain to remain.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments