Europe

UK’s EU referendum spells hopelessness

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A survey has found that the majority of Conservative and Labour voters believe a delayed in/out referendum on Britain’s membership with the European Union (EU) is likely to harm the country’s economy.

According to a ComRes survey for The Independent, half of the British public are concerned about the coalition government pre-announcing a referendum on EU membership that would not take place until 2017.

Around 49 percent of the British people agree that the delay on the EU vote is likely to result in economic damage because of the doubt it creates for companies and investors, but some 32 percent disagree with this statement.

Some 52 percent of Conservative supporters and 54 percent of Labour voters believe that the delay could harm the economy.

Meanwhile, a poll in France by research agency BVA shows that 52 percent of French people are in favor of Britain leaving the EU, while 48 percent want it to stay in the 27-nation bloc.

British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg had previously said plans for holding an in/out referendum on the UK’s EU membership are not in the national interest, as they would hit growth and jobs.

However, Clegg’s comments recently came under attack, as British Chancellor George Osborne dismissed claims that a referendum could damage the country’s economy and branded the Deputy Prime Minister’s statements as “odd”.

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