Most Britons think EU immigration rules would provide "enough control"

Most British adults, including a majority of Leave voters, think existing EU rules would provide "enough control" over EU immigration, according to a UCL and University of Cambridge survey conducted by YouGov. Crucially, the survey revealed that few people are aware of restrictions the UK could enforce under existing EU free movement regulations. The survey (a nationally representative sample) of over 1,000 British adults, carried out from 20 to 30 August 2019, found a hidden consensus on EU immigration ranging across the political spectrum. Overall, 71% supported a policy that would allow EU migrants to come to this country either to work or study (51%), or with complete freedom (20%). This position was backed by majorities of Conservative (71%), Labour (81%) and Liberal Democrat (78%) voters, but also by those who voted Leave (62%) and Remain (85%) in the 2016 referendum. Almost half (47%) of the respondents incorrectly assumed that no restrictions at all were allowed on EU immigration, including a majority (58%) of Leave voters and 62% of those aged 65 or older. Only 13% knew that the UK would be allowed to keep a register of where EU citizens live.