Opinium poll for the Observer finds only 35% of voters would back Theresa May’s deal if remain was an option

Voters would back staying in the European Union over accepting Theresa May’s Brexit deal, according to a new Opinium poll for the Observer.

In a sign of the lack of support for the prime minister’s deal, which has already suffered a heavy parliamentary defeat, only 35% said they would back it in another referendum if the other option was remaining in the EU.

The poll found that 45% would vote to remain in such a referendum. However, those who voted leave in 2016 were more likely to say they did not know how they would vote, suggesting they could shift towards the deal in the actual event, making the 10-point gap closer.

There is little appetite for a unilateral cancellation of Brexit, however. Only 26% think the government should cancel the process. Two in five (40%) think the government should go ahead with Brexit on the current timelines even if it means leaving with no deal, while 20% think the government should delay Brexit until there is a clearer idea of which model has the most support. Opinion is split on holding another public vote, with 43% backing the idea and 43% opposing it.

Meanwhile, in terms of a general election, Labour has taken a three-point lead over the Conservatives. Labour is on 40% support, with the Tories on 37%. The two parties were neck and neck on 39 points last month.

Give MPs free vote on Brexit options, says Sir John Major Read more

Voters’ approval of May’s handling of Brexit has sunk to a new low. Only 24% approve of the way she has handled Brexit, while 57% disapprove. Jeremy Corbyn’s ratings on Brexit are worse. Only 18% approve of his response on Brexit, while 58% disapprove. Less than half (46%) of Labour voters have a favourable view of Corbyn’s response on Brexit.

Only 12% think May’s proposed deal is a good deal, while 50% think it is bad. Three in five (58%) think a better deal could have been reached.

However, it appears that Tory voters have inched towards the deal. In December, only 47% of Tory voters thought their MPs should vote for the deal, while 37% thought they should vote it down. Now, 48% think their MPs should vote for the deal, while 32% think they should vote it down.