Support for a British exit from the 28-nation bloc has hardened significantly, according to research.
The “Brexit” boost follows terrorist attacks in France, the sex attacks scandal in Germany and the EU-wide migrant crisis.
A new opinion poll gives the “out” campaign a sensational six per cent lead.
Polling firm Survation found that the number of voters who want the UK to cut ties with Brussels is at the highest level for more than two decades.
The poll – showing 53 per cent of voters in favour of quitting the EU against 47 per cent wanting to stay in – delighted campaigners for an EU exit last night.
It comes as David Cameron is thought to be preparing to hold his promised in-out referendum this summer.
Andy Wigmore, of the Leave. EU campaign, said: “We welcome the news that ‘leave’ is ahead in the polls.
“The public are seeing through the ‘in’ campaign’s ‘project fear’ and are recognising that Brexit offers the safer and more prosperous option against the risks presented by unlimited open borders, a stagnating Eurozone and countries the size of Turkey joining.”
Ukip leader Nigel Farage said yesterday that the poll showed that there was a groundswell of opinion that was at odds with the Westminster establishment.
He said on the BBC Two Sunday Politics show: “This campaign will be the people against the politicians.
“The more the politicians club together the more the people will chose to vote against them.”
Matthew Elliott, chief executive of the Vote Leave group, said: “The public can see that the EU is expensive, interfering and incapable of dealing with global challenges so it’s no surprise more and more people will chose Vote Leave.”
The Survation poll of more than 10,000 adults showed that public opinion had shifted dramatically since the general election in May.
Then, Survation research showed voters split 54-46 in favour of staying in the EU.
Since the early 1990s, “stay” has consistently been in the lead although a series of recent surveys have given “leave” a lead of around one per cent. Survation’s latest poll also found that the “out” campaign’s lead would stretch to eight per cent if Tory London Mayor Boris Johnson were leading the Brexit push.
It also showed that more than one in five voters (21 per cent) were still undecided.
Nearly a third (32 per cent) of those questioned thought Mr Cameron was handling his EU negotiations badly while 24 per cent said the process was going well.
Downing Street insiders yesterday dismissed reports that the Prime Minister is about to unveil some surprise gains for a new EU deal.
Mr Cameron was said to be close to an agreement for a looser relationship with Brussels than the eurozone countries in a two-tier EU.
He was also said to have been offered an “emergency brake” to halt migration from other EU nations if the numbers become unmanageable.
The Prime Minister was said to be ready to agree to the concessions from other European leaders at an EU summit next month.
Mr Cameron is likely to be concerned at signs that public opinion is shifting against the EU.
He received fresh backing for his diplomatic efforts yesterday when the group Conservatives for Reform in Europe was launched to support his renegotiations and allowing continued membership of the EU.
Former Tory minister Nick Herbert, who is leading the group, said: “Leaving without the first idea of what we might get instead would a jump into a void.”
UK Express
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