Eight out of 10 readers of a regional daily say they will vote to leave the European Union, according to the biggest ever poll conducted by the newspaper.
Nearly 8,000 people have been surveyed by the Express & Star, Wolverhampton, on the subject, with 86pc telling the paper they feel the EU interferes too much with the UK.
The poll also found immigration was the key issue for 63pc of those taking part with a further 82pc saying they did not believe that EU membership had benefited the Black Country or Staffordshire.
Two-thirds also stated Mayor of London Boris Johnson, himself a former Express & Star reporter, was most likely to influence their vote, compare to 22pc for Prime Minister David Cameron and 12pc for Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.
Express & Star editor Keith Harrison said: “These results reflect the biggest response we have ever had to a political poll and I am sure that politicians on both sides of the debate will sit up and take note.
“We believe that the nearly 8,000-strong responses is a significant indication of the strength in feeling among the Express & Star readership in the Black Country and Staffordshire.”
Mr Johnson told the newspaper: “I’m encouraged to see that so many of the Express & Star’s readers recognise that the UK has a fantastic future outside the EU.
“It doesn’t sound like Express & Star readers need any encouragement from me given their massive support for a vote to leave. Clearly they understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to seize a brighter future. I hope they take that opportunity.”
In total, 7,979 people completed the 10 question survey to give their views. Of these, 7,538 voted online via the Express & Star’s website and 441 submitted postal entries.
Labour Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden, co-chairman of the pro-EU Labour In group and former shadow minister for Europe, said: “I understand there is a lot of concern locally about immigration and this is a big factor in these survey results. But I hope voters think very carefully about a move that could damage us economically and hurt investment and jobs.
“Being part of the EU free trade area is a major reason why the UK attracts inward investment in areas like the automotive industry, financial services and more.”
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It’s an online poll, not a survey
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Man, that is one ugly front.
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Online polls mean nothing at all as they’re so easily rigged. Which is almost certainly what happened here. A spot of IP spoofing at Ukip central and hey presto a front page story….
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We used to run a ‘Question of the Day’ telephone vote which often used to return results such as 75% for 25% against. What readers didn’t know was that the sample size would often be as low as 4. Three for and one against. Hardly much to go on.
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Key figures from this is 7979 people replied… YAY!
7538 did so online…. OUCH!
Circulation of 60k odd would have expected better – although my data might be old.
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The Grimsby Telegraph recently ran its own online poll and 78 per cent wanted out.
http://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/Brexit-Results-EU-Referendum-poll-views/story-28854627-detail/story.html
Leave.EU campaigners in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, have polled over 1000 shoppers in recent weeks and found a 3-1 majority in favour of coming out. But there were also almost as many did not know or would not say as there were outers.
Lincolnshire might be a Eurosceptic, but it does seem people do want to be out. It makes you wonder how much the polls and papers truly reflect public opinion.
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I used to be letters editor of a regional daily. I am certain that UKIP urged their supporters to deluge me with letters. According to their website, UKIP now seems to be urging supporters to post their views on social media. Since the most active UKIP supporters are probably the retired, it is hardly surprising that they contribute to every poll going.
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Good idea by E&S to carry out this poll, but a worrying result. Glad to hear the editorial will remain balanced, as it should do.
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