NEWS · 03 November 2022
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As the government desperately tries to shift the political focus away from the economy and onto immigration, the public have a different set of priorities.
57% now support rejoining the EU. This means that Rejoin has opened up a 14-point lead over 'stay out', on 43%.
The above chart is from polling professor John Curtice, who has been tracking polls on join/rejoin the EU vs stay out since 2020. In the last few months rejoin's lead has grown rapidly – despite the politicians' silence on the issue. (His rolling average of recent polls also shows 57% Rejoin.)
We are swimming with the stream. More and more people are putting the blame for Britain's problems where it belongs: Brexit.
Media outlets from the BBC to the Spectator are beginning to admit that Brexit is the root of the issue. And as the polling shows, the public are way ahead of the media or the political parties. We must keep making the case for Rejoin, knowing it is getting more popular. Sooner or later they will have to catch up.
The search for scapegoats
New prime minister Rishi Sunak was talked up as the 'sensible' replacement for catastrophic Liz Truss – but within hours he had shown himself to be another prisoner of the hard-right ERG Brexiters. He appointed security risk Suella Braverman as home secretary after doing a dodgy deal for her last-minute support.
Now Braverman has absurdly, and dangerously, claimed that there is an "invasion" of Britain's southern coast – by refugees in rubber dinghies.
The noise about these 'small boats' is growing because the far-right have decided it's their new big issue. They don't want to talk about Brexit any more because they know how unpopular it has become.
Pushing the claim of a fake "migrant invasion" is the politics of Donald Trump, who frequently claimed the US' southern border was being "invaded". Sunak has taken no action against Braverman, so he is just as guilty on the issue.
As Steve Bray says, "When the Tory Party feel the pressure... they always play the immigration/refugee card! Economy collapsing, Brexit failures, government failures, lies, deceit & corruption in office.... 'Aha! Look over there, a dinghy!' "
Codename: NRM NXT
After the success of the National Rejoin March, the organising coalition is staying together and is preparing its next steps, codenamed 'NRM NXT'.
The plan is a day of action with pro-Rejoin events in every part of the UK – Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and all regions of England – plus outside British embassies across the EU.
They are looking for volunteers in every location, to research, plan and organise the event, whether it is a march, static protest, street stall, concert or another idea.
Are you in the Liberal Democrats?
Lib Dems are currently electing members to several committees that will set party priorities for the next three years. This includes, for example, writing the manifesto for the next general election. If you're a Lib Dem member please use your online vote by 15 November to support pro-European pro-Rejoin candidates.
General Election Now!
Finally, if you are in or near London, you may be interested in the protest this Saturday under the slogan "General Election Now". Many of us made this demand on the recent Rejoin march too and it is one Stay European wholeheartedly supports.
The march assembles 12noon, Saturday 5 November, Embankment, London.
