Most Europeans are against Brexit

Most European voters want the UK to remain in the European Union, a survey of six member states has revealed.

But if Britain votes to leave, Europe is divided on whether it should be allowed to remain part of the single market, according to analysis by the University of Edinburgh and German think-tank dpart.

Researchers who surveyed attitudes in Germany, France, Ireland, Poland, Sweden and Spain, found broad support for Britain remaining in the EU.

Spain was the strongest in favour (81%), followed by Poland (80%), Ireland (79%), Germany (73%) and Sweden (67%), while the weakest support was found in France (56%).

But the findings show mixed reaction to Britain adopting a trading deal similar to Norway or Iceland if it votes to leave the EU.

While nearly half of German (46%) and half of Polish people surveyed (50%) were in favour of Britain remaining in the EU’s single market in the event of Brexit, only a quarter of French respondents (25%) and under a third of Spaniards (30%) agreed. There was also little support for Britain having special privileges within the EU.

The majority of voters in Sweden (53%), Poland (55%), Spain (55%), France (55%), Germany (62%) and Ireland (62%) stated that changes negotiated by Britain should apply to all member states.

The report is called The View From The Continent.

The study surveyed 8,000 voters between late January and early February.