Two thirds of Londoners would vote to rejoin the European Union if a referendum was held tomorrow, according to a new poll.
The Savanta UK survey for the Mile End Institute, Queen Mary University of London, found the figure was even higher at 85% for adults in the capital aged 18 to 34.
The findings come as Andy Burnham is coming under increasing pressure to build far closer ties with the EU as he seeks to deliver his flagship pledge of “good growth in every postcode”.
London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is leading calls from within the Labour Party for Britain to rejoin the European bloc after the economic harm inflicted on the country by Brexit.
He argues that the capital’s economy is £30 billion smaller than if the UK had stayed in the EU.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has admitted that Brexit has failed but blames the Conservatives for not delivering it properly.
His fellow Brexit cheerleader, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, insists that splintering away from the EU was not a mistake.
He says Brexit is a “tool”, adding: “You either use it or you don’t”.
But the Bank of England, the Office for Budget Responsibility, and many economists say Brexit has wiped billions of pounds off the British economy, leaving less funding for public services such as the NHS and schools.
The new poll found that 67% of Londoners would vote to rejoin the EU if a referendum was held tomorrow, with 33% against going back in.
The number of “Rejoiners” in the capital has grown over the years and is now seven percentage points higher than the 60% in the city who voted ten years ago to stay in the European bloc.
Dr Eoghan Kelly, a postdoctoral researcher in British Politics at Queen Mary University of London, said: “London was the only part of England to support remain in 2016 and has moved further in that direction.
“It is telling that only 13% of Londoners believe that Brexit has had a very or fairly positive impact.
“52% believe it has been a fairly or very negative impact on the UK.”
Young Londoners are far more likely to back going back into the EU, with 82% of 18 to 24-year-olds supporting such a move, 86% for those aged 25 to 34, 71% of the 35 to 44 age group, 60% for those aged 45 to 54, and 50% for people aged 55 and over.
More women also favour such a policy than men, by 71% to 63%.
A geographical split of the city found 79% in north London boroughs would vote to rejoin, 72 in central boroughs, 68% in those in the east, and 60% in both the south and the west of the capital.
Seventy-two per cent of graduates in London support Britain returning to the EU, compared to 58% of non-graduates.
Mr Burnham, who was starting his second week as PM with more announcements, believes that quitting the EU has damaged the UK economy but does not want to “re-run” Brexit arguments.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester, though, hopes to see Britain back in the European Union within his lifetime.
* Savanta interviewed 1,038 Londoners aged 18+ online between 30th June July 8th. Data are weighted.
