A new centrist anti-Brexit party would be more popular than the Liberal Democrats, according to a Sky Data poll.

In a blow to leader Sir Vince Cable's hopes of capitalising on pro-EU feeling within the UK, 43% said they would be more likely to vote for a new party.

By contrast, little more than one in ten (11%) said they would support the Lib Dems, while 46% said they would vote for neither Sir Vince's party or a new centrist anti-Brexit group.

Sir Vince is currently attempting to re-energise the Lib Dems with plans to allow a new class of supporters to join the party for free and to let non-MPs stand for leader.

Existing party members expressed their concerns to Sir Vince about his proposals during a private event at the Lib Dems conference in Brighton this week.


The party's annual gathering has also seen one of those from outside parliament to have been touted as a successor to Sir Vince - anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller - tell Lib Dems she is not their "leader-in-waiting" and is not even planning to become a party member.

Image: Sir Vince Cable is hoping to re-energise his party through major reforms

Sir Vince, 75, has vowed to stand down as leader once Brexit is "resolved or stopped" and once he has pushed through his party reforms, although he has refused to give a firm date for his departure.

The Sky Data poll of 1,070 people also revealed little more than one in five (22%) were satisfied with Sir Vince's performance as Lib Dem leader, while almost half (48%) were dissatisfied. Almost one third (30%) replied "don't know".

Less than one in ten (9%) said Sir Vince's leadership made them more attracted to the Lib Dems, while 39% said they were less attracted. The same number, also 39%, said Sir Vince's leadership made no difference to their view of the party.

:: Sky Data interviewed a nationally representative sample of 1,070 Sky customers online on 10-11 September 2018. Data are weighted to the profile of the population. Sky Data is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. For full Sky Data tables, please click here.