Support for EU Constitution’s key aims from the British public – if you ask them!
London, 15 June 2005.
- 62% agree that the EU should have a single market where competition is free and undistorted, including free movement of persons, goods, services and capital, with the freedom to live and work wherever citizens choose
- 79% agree that the EU’s objective should be balanced economic growth, with a shared market economy which is highly competitive and aims for full employment and social progress
- 92% agree that the EU should respect the national identities of the member states and respect their essential state function, including those for maintaining law and order and safeguarding internal security
- 66% of respondents stated that the right to work and live anywhere you choose in the EU and the right to buy goods and services without any restrictions or custom taxes. Only 13% think it is irrelevant
A large majority of Britons agree with key objectives of the proposed EU constitution and regard the European single market as an important part of their lives, according to a new survey from NOP.
The survey shows that the British are – in reality – very enthusiastic Europeans who have no fear of free competition and free movement of people, goods and services across the EU, but who also want a ‘continental’ social market where full employment is a key objective.
They also overwhelmingly support the Constitution’s stated aim of respecting the rights of Member States, especially regarding law and order and internal security.
The survey is released as EU leaders meet this week to decide the fate of the Constitution after the ‘No’ votes in France and Holland.
It was commissioned by Pleon, Europe’s leading communications company, to test the theory that British – and European voters – would actually support the Constitution if the heated and polarised political rhetoric were to be removed.
Without revealing their origin, Pleon took three key sections from Part I of the EU constitution – ‘Definition & Objectives of the Union’ – and asked respondents whether they agreed:
- That the EU should have ‘a single market where competition is free and undistorted’ (Article 3.2), including ‘free movement of persons, goods, services and capital’ (Article 4.1), with freedom to live and work wherever citizens choose (Article 8.2)
A total of 62% agreed, 32 % disagreed, 6% didn’t know. - That the EU’s objective should be ‘balanced economic growth, with a shared market economy which is highly competitive and aims for full employment and social progress’ (Article 3.3).
A total of 79% agreed, 14% disagreed, 7% didn’t know.
- That the EU should ‘respect the national identities of the member States and respect their essential State functions, including those for maintaining law and order and safeguarding internal security.’ (Article 5.1)
A total of 92% agreed, 4% disagreed, 5% didn’t know.
Perhaps even more revealingly, respondents showed that closer economic co-operation is not just a ‘nice to have’; it’s an important part of their lives.
When asked HOW IMPORTANT was the right to work and live anywhere in the EU and the right to buy goods and services WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS or customs taxes, fully 66% of respondents said it was ‘very important’ or ‘important’, with only 13% saying it was ‘not important’.
Geoff Beattie, Pleon UK CEO, said:
‘This short, intriguing survey shows that Europe’s political leaders should perhaps pause before they declare the EU Constitution dead. It suggests that people will support the Constitution’s key objectives if you take the time and trouble to explain them. The blunt fact is that these leaders have been staggeringly bad at communicating on the issue.’
‘Another fascinating insight is that the Brits – long regarded as hostile to ‘Europe’ – are actually very enthusiastic about the real benefits which the EU brings them – economic benefits such as the right to live and work in other countries, and the right to buy goods and services from wherever they can get the best deal.’
‘The pragmatic British don’t seem to have any fears of Polish plumbers or Latvian decorators.’
The survey did not question respondents about their attitude towards the proposed common foreign policy (Part III, Article 2.4), or the use of national military assets for EU operations (Part V, Article 40.1).
Geoff Beattie added:
‘Even though the principle of subsidiarity is enshrined in the Constitution – with only four basic areas of exclusive competence for the EU - there is little doubt that our respondents would have voted substantially against the sections which define a common foreign policy.’
‘The lesson for Europe’s leaders seems to be: focus on the areas which make a real difference to people’s lives – primarily those moves towards closer economic integration – rather than on the polarised political symbols which make the European project easy meat for those who wish to wreck it.’
About the survey:
NOP interviewed 1000 adults, aged 15+, between the 10th–12th June 2005. The survey is designed to be nationally representative of Great Britain.
About Pleon
Pleon (www.pleon.com) is an international consulting firm with European roots, which creates and implements strategies for private and public sector organisations around the world. With deep understanding of business, politics and communications, Pleon is uniquely placed to devise compelling solutions that deliver measurable and tangible results. Pleon is part of the Brodeur|Pleon Worldwide network and has a presence throughout the US, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Pleon represents the merger of Brodeur agencies in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and UK with the ECC Group, including market leaders ECC KohtesKlewes in Germany and Belgium, and ECC Publico in Austria. Pleon and Brodeur (www.brodeur.com) are part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company.
For more information, please contact:
Yeelim Lee
PLEON
Tel: + 44 (0) 207 479 5609
Email: yeelim.lee(at)pleon.com