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A majority of Britons now want the country to stay in the European Union, according to analysis of nearly 150 polls for the Evening Standard.

The study of four questions regularly asked in Brexit surveys showed a steady shift towards Remain.

Leave was ahead by an average of two points in the months after the June 2016 referendum on EU membership, the study found. And in the first six months of 2017, pro-Brexit sentiment was still in front, but by one point.

Then there was a turning point around the middle of last year, and Remain gained a two-point lead over the last six months of 2017.

The average for this year is a four-point lead to stay, roughly the opposite of the actual referendum result.

YouGov carried out the analysis. Anthony Wells, director of political research at the pollster, said: “The weight of evidence means that we can be as good as certain that, at least as far as the polls are concerned, Remain is now ahead of Leave.

“Between them the four trackers have asked the question 61 times this year, and 57 of them were Remain.”

The findings came as:

Theresa May faced a nine-day countdown to salvage her Chequers Brexit blueprint before a crunch summit with EU leaders who are currently only offering about 30 to 40 per cent of what she wants, according to reports.

Ministers were said to be trying to woo Labour MPs to get a Chequers-style deal through the Commons.

Brexit talks were intensifying in Brussels. Arlene Foster, of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party, is due to meet EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier tomorrow to discus her concerns over the Irish border issue.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Brexit would weaken the UK’s role as a bridge to Europe but Britain would be welcomed “with open arms” into the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.

SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon backed a second EU referendum and claimed support for Scottish independence was growing amid Brexit turmoil.

Brexiteers warned the Prime Minister that the UK must quit any temporary customs union arrangement before the 2022 General Election as part of a “backstop” to avoid the return of a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The shift towards Remain is being driven by significantly more people who did not vote first time round saying they would now back Remain, according to the study. Another factor may be the number of Labour voters who backed Leave changing their mind, a switch that could pile pressure on Jeremy Corbyn to campaign for a second referendum.

The deaths of older people who voted Leave and more pro-Remain teenagers who are now 18 and eligible to vote, could also be having an impact.

The polling figures include people who did not take part in the referendum, so the four-point gap is likely to be smaller if it came to a vote.

But the findings from two tracker questions by YouGov, one by BMG Research and one by Survation, cast serious doubts on Brexiteers’ claims to be representing the will of the people.

Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest 12 show all Thousands of anti-Brexit activists march to Parliament in protest 1/12 Demonstrators head towards Parliament Square. REUTERS 2/12 Signs include 'I love EU' REUTERS 3/12 The pro-EU march began in Hyde Park Corner. Si Carrington 4/12 'NHS? Brexit Wrexit' Oliver Day 5/12 The march took protesters through the streets of London. Oliver Day 6/12 One protester brought along a papier mache Queen, in reference to the blue and yellow hat she wore at the State Opening of Parliament. Peter Bailey 7/12 'Exit Brexit' Jonathan Hawley 8/12 The September sun shone as activists marched through the streets. Martin Tod 9/12 Roads were blocked during the protest. Maggie Jones 10/12 The campaigners set off shortly after 11am from Hyde Park Corner. Maggie Jones 11/12 The rally saw the activists march through the streets of central London. Johann Ketel 12/12 EU colours of blue and yellow were seen throughout the march. Judi Conner 1/12 Demonstrators head towards Parliament Square. REUTERS 2/12 Signs include 'I love EU' REUTERS 3/12 The pro-EU march began in Hyde Park Corner. Si Carrington 4/12 'NHS? Brexit Wrexit' Oliver Day 5/12 The march took protesters through the streets of London. Oliver Day 6/12 One protester brought along a papier mache Queen, in reference to the blue and yellow hat she wore at the State Opening of Parliament. Peter Bailey 7/12 'Exit Brexit' Jonathan Hawley 8/12 The September sun shone as activists marched through the streets. Martin Tod 9/12 Roads were blocked during the protest. Maggie Jones 10/12 The campaigners set off shortly after 11am from Hyde Park Corner. Maggie Jones 11/12 The rally saw the activists march through the streets of central London. Johann Ketel 12/12 EU colours of blue and yellow were seen throughout the march. Judi Conner

Brexit survey details are being compiled by Sir John Curtice, the Strathclyde University professor and polling expert, on his WhatUKThinks website. Its latest poll-of-polls, which included three by BMG, and one each by ICM, Kantar and Survation, also puts the Remain lead at four points.

Sir John said: “There is doubt that there is still a majority of support for Leave but there is also doubt that actually a second referendum would necessarily deliver a majority for Remain. Neither side could be sure of the outcome given how close the polls are.”

Opinions on Brexit are still vulnerable to factors such as whether Britain agrees a trade deal with the EU in coming weeks.

Pollsters argue that surveys are more accurate today than before the referendum because they have the 52-48 result as a base to work from and thanks to other changes in methodology.