United Kingdom’s level of trust in the EU in worryingly low – Hayes

Fine Gael Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes today (Thursday) said that British people’s trust in the EU is worryingly low. MEP Hayes made the comments following the publication of the latest Eurobarometer survey.

“The latest Eurobarometer survey of opinion across the EU shows that trust in the EU is lower in the UK than in all other 28 EU countries with the exception of the Czech Republic. The average level of trust in the EU in the UK is 33%.

“The survey covered eleven regions in the UK.  Levels of trust in the EU ranged from 25% in the West Midlands to 43% in London. The level of trust in the EU in Northern Ireland is 40% which is the second highest of the eleven regions surveyed.

“The high level of support in Northern Ireland is somewhat ironic given that it only narrowly passed the European Union membership referendum in 1975. This may be a reflection of the importance of the farming sector in the economy of Northern Ireland and also the ongoing strong financial and political support given to the Peace Process by the EU.

“Within the next 2-3 weeks Prime Minister Cameron will outline his views on EU reform ahead of a European Leaders summit in December to deal specifically with the British Referendum. It’s important for Ireland that the UK remains part of the EU. They are our closest neighbour with more than €1 billion worth of goods crossing the Irish Sea every week.”