New Savanta ComRes polling data commissioned by advocacy groups Hong Kong Watch and Friends of Hong Kong shows public backing for right of abode for British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders in Hong Kong.

The polling found that UK voters are more than twice as likely to support granting right of abode to BNO Passport holders as they are to oppose it. This follows news that the Home Secretary is seeking to change the status of BNO passports but is facing resistance from the Foreign Secretary.

The online survey of 2041 people demographically representative of the UK population showed that only one in five people opposed the idea of giving right of abode to all BNO passport holders, while nearly half the country supported the idea.

In a separate question, 2 in 5 members of the UK public said that the UK should make it easier for BNOs to move to the country to live and work than it currently does for its EU citizens. Almost three times more UK voters supported the statement than were opposed to it.

The survey data also found majority support for the UK government making it easier for Hong Kong students to remain living in the UK after their studies, and that nearly two-thirds of the British population are concerned by the role China plays in erosion of rights and freedoms of people in Hong Kong.

HEADLINES

The data, drawing on an online survey of 2041 people demographically representative of the UK, shows that:

UK adults are more than twice as likely to support granting right of abode to British National (Overseas) Passport holders as they are to oppose it. UK adults are almost three times as likely to back BNOs having easier access to live and work in the UK than EU citizens than they were to oppose the proposal. More than half of the British public thought that it should be easier for students from Hong Kong to remain in the UK after their studies. Only 15% opposed the idea. Around half of UK voters support “offering political asylum to those from Hong Kong who request it”. Less than 1 in 5 voters opposed the idea. Nearly two-thirds of UK voters said they are “concerned about China eroding the human rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people”.

British National (Overseas) Passport holders

The poll shows significant support for the extension of right of abode to British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders. The number of people who agreed that the British government should extend right of abode to British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders was more than double the number of those who oppose.

UK voters were asked their view on whether it the government should extend the right to live in the UK to any British National (Overseas) passport holder from Hong Kong.