Brexit: Poll shows British people want Theresa May to choose good EU trade deal over immigration cuts

Hard Brexit: Theresa May hinted she would be willing to leave the European single market
EPA
Francesca Gillett16 October 2016

British people want Theresa May to prioritise a good trade deal with the EU over immigration cuts in Brexit talks, a new poll has suggested.

The Prime Minister announced immigration and stopping the free movement of EU citizens would be the number one focus in the negotiations, claiming immigration curbs is crucial in Brexit.

But according to a ComRes poll for the Independent and the Sunday Mirror, British people would rather see the PM trying to negotiate favourable trade deals with the EU by 49 per cent to 39 per cent.

It is different news for older people, with twice as many older Britons than younger Britons believing Mrs May should focus on reducing immigration.

Her approach in making immigration the number one priority has led to suggestions the PM favours a so-called “hard Brexit” outside of the European single market. EU leaders have said free movement of EU citizens is a condition of membership of the trade deal.

On Thursday, European Council president Donald Tusk warned that the UK would have to pursue a "hard Brexit" or simply remain in the EU.

He insisted there could be "no compromises" over single market access, stressing that freedom of movement would remain a condition - despite claims from Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson that he expected European leaders to back down.

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