Brits still on board with Brexit and just want ministers to get on with freeing us from the EU’s shackles, new poll says
The majority of Brits are in favour of getting our heads down and working hard to make Brexit happen - as Brussels officially signed off the transition deal today
MOST Brits are still behind Brexit and want ministers to get on with leaving the shackles of the EU behind, a new poll has said.
Fresh reports by BMG for Change Britain found that an overwhelming majority are in favour of pushing through and getting the best out of our exit.
57 per cent of people agreed that the government should "get on with implementing the result of the referendum to take Britain out of the EU and in doing so take back control of our borders, laws, money and trade".
Just 22 per cent disagreed with the statement, which is bad news for all the Remainer campaigning for another referendum on the terms of our final deal.
Even 44 per cent of the Lib Dems who were asked agreed - despite the party fighting for another vote to overturn the last one. 78 per cent of Tories and 40 per cent of Labour people surveyed agreed.
And the poll saw more people support the statement than oppose it across all ages, classes, regions and parties.
The news comes just as Brussels formally launched trade talks with Britain today as the transitional deal was sealed.
Leaders rubber stamped the agreement today, meaning we can finally discuss our future relationship with the bloc.
The Prime Minister said over dinner last night that it was their duty to show “energy and ambition” in forging a future relationship which was in the interests of both Britain and Europe.
And today she was greeted with a peck on the hand from the EU’s chief negotiator Mr Barnier as she arrived for a breakfast meeting in the commission’s headquarters.
As well as discussing the decision by Donald Trump to exempt the EU from crippling steel tariffs, they will rubber stamp the transition arrangement outlined by Mr Barnier and David Davis on Monday.
Labour split on Brexit... again
Jeremy Corbyn is facing calls to sack his shadow minister after he said Labour should ask if Brexit should go ahead at all.
Owen Smith, the shadow Northern Ireland secretary, said we should ''keep asking if Brexit remains the right choice for the country'', writes Jack Newman.
Writing in the Guardian, the frontbencher also voiced his support for membership of the single market and holding a second referendum at the end of negotiations, against party policy.
Labour boss Mr Corbyn, who defeated Mr Smith in the 2016 leadership contest, announced last month that he wanted the UK to stay in the customs union after Brexit, but has committed to leaving the single market.
But this was not enough for Mr Smith, who wrote that his party ''needs to do more'' to protect democracy and the interests of the people.
He is now facing calls to be sacked by Brexiteers in his party, with Graham Stringer telling the Telegraph that Mr Corbyn “should reconsider the decision” of appointing him to his top team.
And campaign group Labour Leave have also accused Mr Smith of “incentivising the EU to offer us the worst possible deal in the hope he can overturn the results he didn’t like”.
The comments come as Brussels formally announced the start of trade talks with Britain today as we move onto the next phase of negotiations.
Steve Baker, a Tory Brexit minister, said: “Just as we secure important progress on Brexit by agreeing an implementation period with the EU, Labour are once again trying to frustrate the Brexit process.
“Only the Conservatives are getting on with delivering what British people voted for, taking back control of our laws, borders and money.”
Responding to the EU27's decision, Mrs May said: "I welcome the fact that the European Union Council this morning has agreed the details of the implementation period after we leave the EU next March 2019 until the end of December 2020.
"This gives clarity to people and businesses. It gives them the clarity to plan for their future and it ensures that they will only have to make one adjustment, one change, when we enter into the new relationship with the EU in the future.
"The Council has also endorsed its guidelines for our negotiations for that future relationship. I believe there is a new dynamic in the negotiations."