Poll hands Kerr Brexit warning

Stirling voters are unhappy with the Westminister Government‘s handling of Brexit negotiations, according to an opinion poll.

And the survey has indicated that Stirling MP Stephen Kerr’s support for the Chequers Deal could cost him votes at the next General Election.

Pro-Brexit group Global Britain carried the polling in 44 of the most marginal Conservative constituencies, including Stirling. A total of 500 Stirling voters were asked for their views on Brexit and the Chequers Deal in a telephone poll between August 15 and 16.

Conservative Party members have been left divided over the deal which was put forward by Prime Minister Theresa May in July as a way of breaking the Brexit talks deadlock. it suggests a a free trade area for goods within the European Union while Britain will maintain the EU set of rules for all goods, including agricultural products.

The deal also proposes an agreement to uphold high regulatory standards in a number of areas and end free movement between Britain and other EU countries.

There is also a proposal for ‘Facilitated Customs Arrangement’ that would remove the need for customs checks and controls between the UK and the EU.

In the poll carried out in Stirling, 52 per cent of those asked felt Brexit and the EU would be the most important issue for them if a General Election was held today.

A total of 75 per cent of respondents were unhappy with the UK Government’s handling of the Brexit negotiations and 84 per cent had “seen, read or heard” something about the Chequers Deal.

Fifty-two per cent opposed the Chequers Deal and 57 per cent felt it would be bad for them and their family. Only 24 per cent felt the Chequers proposals would result in a ‘true’ Brexit. A total of 33 per cent of respondents believed the Chequers arrangements respected the EU Referendum result, while 41 per cent said it disrespected the outcome of the poll.

Almost half of those polled were “neutral” when asked whether a MP’s support for the Chequers Deal would make respondents more or less likely to vote for them in an election. However, 34 per cent said they were less likely to vote for a pro-Chequers Deal MP.

A Scottish Conservatives spokesman said: “Stephen will do exactly what he committed to during the election campaign and that is his best to ensure we get a deal with the EU that is good for Stirling, Scotland and the UK.”

Scots for Leave spokesman Tom Burns, said: “The results of this poll show that a majority of Stirling residents are deeply unimpressed with the Chequers deal and feel it would impact negatively on the country, and their families. They feel strongly that it does not honour the decision of the British people to leave the European Union and to deliver the clean Brexit for which we voted.”