General population, survey finds

Brexit was not viewed as a significant threat to the EU by the elite, who ranked it only 12th out of 15 possible threats to the future of the bloc. However, they were split on the way forward, with 37% of the elite saying the EU should get more powers, 28% supporting the status quo, while 31% thought powers should be returned to member states.

The report said that the survey had exposed a “visible divide” between the general attitudes, beliefs and life experiences of the two groups.

“Compared to the public, decision-makers and influencers are notably more liberal and optimistic, more committed to a pan-European identity and a common set of European values, and more likely to feel the benefits of integration,” it said.

“Meanwhile, there is simmering discontent among the public. Large sections of the public view the EU in negative terms, want to see it return some powers to member states, feel anxious over immigration and its perceived effects, as well as over the role of Islam in society.

“Such views are especially strong among those with lower educational qualifications.”

Kantar Public surveyed 10,195 members of the public from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK between December 2016 and January 2017. It interviewed 1,823 politicians, news journalists, business leaders and civil society leaders from the same countries between January 2017 and February 2017.