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Conservative grassroots divided over Europe, poll finds Conservative grassroots divided over Europe, poll finds
(6 months later)
Conservative grassroots activists are split over the issue of Europe, a survey of local party chairmen has found.Conservative grassroots activists are split over the issue of Europe, a survey of local party chairmen has found.
Related: Revealed: how Tory grassroots split over EU could see party implode
The poll of Conservative local associations with sitting Tory MPs found almost half said they were dissatisfied with the deal David Cameron secured in Brussels and more than 40% said they would vote to leave the European Union in the 23 June referendum.The poll of Conservative local associations with sitting Tory MPs found almost half said they were dissatisfied with the deal David Cameron secured in Brussels and more than 40% said they would vote to leave the European Union in the 23 June referendum.
Of the 128 local chairmen who responded to the survey, 54 said they would vote to leave and 31 backed a remain vote. About 43 said they had yet to make up their minds when contacted by BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend.Of the 128 local chairmen who responded to the survey, 54 said they would vote to leave and 31 backed a remain vote. About 43 said they had yet to make up their minds when contacted by BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend.
One chairman said: “My heart says out but my head says ‘is it the right time?’ The feeling I get from my association members is that the majority are for out. Myself and the majority of members are not happy with the deal struck by the prime minister.”One chairman said: “My heart says out but my head says ‘is it the right time?’ The feeling I get from my association members is that the majority are for out. Myself and the majority of members are not happy with the deal struck by the prime minister.”
Comparing Cameron unfavourably with Margaret Thatcher, the unnamed local Tory chairman added: “He hardly lived up to Maggie’s legacy showing his preference for staying in at an early stage. As a negotiating strategy that must have been a mistake.Comparing Cameron unfavourably with Margaret Thatcher, the unnamed local Tory chairman added: “He hardly lived up to Maggie’s legacy showing his preference for staying in at an early stage. As a negotiating strategy that must have been a mistake.
Related: Who are the Tory MPs on each side of the EU debate?
“He should have bought himself a handbag. It might have stiffened his resolve and reminded him of the act he had to follow.”“He should have bought himself a handbag. It might have stiffened his resolve and reminded him of the act he had to follow.”
The programme contacted 179 Tory seats and 128 chairmen took part in the survey, although only 124 gave a view on what Cameron had achieved in his deal. Of those, 61, or 49%, said they were dissatisfied with the agreement thrashed out in Brussels.The programme contacted 179 Tory seats and 128 chairmen took part in the survey, although only 124 gave a view on what Cameron had achieved in his deal. Of those, 61, or 49%, said they were dissatisfied with the agreement thrashed out in Brussels.
One told the programme: “It wasn’t a deal. If you ask for nothing and you get even less then it’s less. Why would anyone want to stay? I hate all the scare stories put about by remain. It suggests the country is full of incompetence and that’s appalling.”One told the programme: “It wasn’t a deal. If you ask for nothing and you get even less then it’s less. Why would anyone want to stay? I hate all the scare stories put about by remain. It suggests the country is full of incompetence and that’s appalling.”
Forty chairmen, 32%, said they were satisfied and 23 said they were undecided about the deal.Forty chairmen, 32%, said they were satisfied and 23 said they were undecided about the deal.