Most believe talks handled badly

Half the public believe Brexit will have a negative impact on the country, while an overwhelming majority are critical of the government’s handling of the exit talks.

Just a third of voters think they will be better off in five years as a result of Britain quitting the European Union, the Comres survey for BBC Radio 5 Live found. Some eight out of 10 voters, 79 per cent, think the exit negotiations have been handled badly by the government.

Prime Minister Theresa May has faced intense criticism from within Tory ranks about her Brexit blueprint and around 50 Brexiteers met to wargame ways to oust her last week.