Every constituency in Britain favors EU trade over US ties
- A YouGov poll shows every constituency in Britain prefers EU trade over the US.
- Responses indicate a strong preference for EU ties among Labour voters and even Leave constituencies.
- This trend reflects growing concerns about the UK economy following Brexit and changing global relations.
A recent poll conducted by YouGov for the pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain revealed that every constituency in Britain leans towards prioritizing trade with the European Union rather than the United States. The survey, which involved nearly 15,000 respondents across England, Scotland, and Wales, was conducted to mark the fifth anniversary of Brexit. Significantly, only 21% believed that the US should be a priority for UK trade, while a mere 4% nominated China, and 6% chose other countries. Notably, even constituencies known for strong Leave votes in the 2016 referendum overwhelmingly favored EU trade. For instance, Clacton, the home of Nigel Farage, reflected a similar inclination towards EU over US trade ties despite Farage’s pro-Trump stance. Additionally, Labour voters also demonstrated this preference, with two-thirds advocating for stronger trade relations with the EU. The Chancellor indicated openness to ideas like the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Convention to enhance trade, however, Labour's leadership ruled out rejoining both the customs union and the single market, seeking instead to stabilize economic cooperation with the EU after Brexit. The growing rift regarding relations with the US becomes apparent as Donald Trump, the former president, encouraged a phone call with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, appreciating his approach, although tensions seem to exist due to the economic policies of the Starmer government. Meanwhile, American investment in the UK's care home sector reached record levels in 2024, with US backers involved in 56% of the £3.1 billion worth of acquisitions in a market deemed resilient despite broader economic contractions. The care market's stability is viewed as alluring, especially in the context of anticipated rent increases amid ongoing demographic changes in the UK. Amidst the uncertainty surrounding the UK’s direction post-Brexit, both the government and voters appear to be gravitating towards the EU for trade over potentially less stable partnerships with the US.