The great mystery of Brexit
According to Ipsos Mori, who carry out monthly surveys of the issues that most concern people, the EU was of very little concern to people until early 2016, when talk of a referendum began in earnest. Until then, the percentage citing European issues as of concern remained consistently below 5% of the population — but then shot up until it was over 50% last year (at the same time, immigration, which had been at around 20%, went down to below 10%): see chart below.
The mystery is, why did what had been, for at least the previous 5 years, a complete non-issue, rise to become so high? The underlying issues which led to the vote for Leave in the referendum, and which all experts realise had been simmering for many years, did not suddenly worsen in 2016. So, can anyone explain the reasons for this change? There was no coup, no sudden takeover of our institutions by the EU, indeed, no substantive change in our relationship with it, and I'd really like to understand what has changed in that period.
Richard Carter ● 2658d25 Comments ● 2656d