Brexit Party most popular group for European elections, but only among over-55s, poll shows

Nigel Farage’s party also ahead of Westminster’s established parties for European parliament elections

The newly formed Brexit Party enjoys more support than Westminster’s major political parties for the European elections only among those over the age of 55, new polling shows.

In a fresh survey for The Independent, BMG pollsters also found the party spearheaded by Nigel Farage will emerge ahead of the established parties on 23 May – despite being formed just weeks ago.

It comes amid growing frustration among Conservative MPs both with Theresa May‘s leadership of the party and the continued Brexit deadlock and the inability of both Labour and Tories to find a resolution in the cross-party negotiations.

Many fear they are heading for a mauling at the hands of Mr Farage’s Brexit Party in the European elections having already suffered the heaviest losses in a generation at the local council elections earlier in the month.

The survey shows that among the 55-64 age range, the party boasts 30 per cent support – significantly above the Conservatives on 8 per cent and Labour on 15 per cent.

In the over-65 category, Mr Farage’s party has 42 per cent while the Tories are on 17 per cent and Labour are on 11 per cent.

But in the 18-24 age range, the party has just 6 per cent support while Labour enjoys 38 per cent backing. This increases slightly to 17 per cent among the 35- to 44-year-olds who said they would definitely vote in the European elections.

According to the research – including only those who said they will definitely vote – the Brexit Party enjoys 26 per cent support while Labour is in second place with 22 per cent.

Ms May’s Conservative Party are in fourth place with 12 per cent after being leapfrogged by the Liberal Democrats who are on 19 per cent. The Green Party also hold 10 per cent support.

Commenting on the results, Robert Struthers, the research manager at BMG, said: “The fact that the Brexit Party are out in front on 26 per cent is quite a feat given the new outfit only formed a matter of weeks ago. As it stands, Nigel Farage’s party appears to have largely mopped up the pro-Brexit vote, with our poll showing Ukip attracting just 3 per cent support.

“What is also clear is that the Brexit Party’s support is coming largely at the expense of the Conservatives. Indeed, as many of those that reported voting Conservative at the 2017 general election say they intend to vote for the Brexit Party next week as do say they will continue to back Theresa May’s Conservatives.

“While those on the Remain side seem to be more divided, our polling does suggest the Liberal Democrats to be in the strongest position of those parties that unequivocally support another referendum. Following their strong showing at the local elections, the Lib Dems are now polling twice the vote share of that of the Greens, and more than four times that of Change UK.”

Source note: BMG Research interviewed a representative sample of 1,541 GB adults online between 7 and 10 May. Data are weighted. BMG are members of the British Polling Council and abide by their rules