Disappearing Brexit divisions leave votes up for grabs: The Yorkshire Post says

There is no doubt that has been achieved which is to the benefit of the country – though unexpectedly and tragically, its place at the top of the news agenda has all-too-swiftly been replaced by the coronavirus pandemic which has brought tens of thousands of deaths and a deep recession.

New research conducted by the European Council on Foreign Relations suggests Brexit tribalism is starting to ebb away among voters – with only one in five of the Leave supporters who carried the Conservatives to victory in so-called ‘Red Wall’ traditional Labour heartlands currently saying they intend to back the Tories again at the next election. Twenty-three per cent of those polled say they will go back to Labour, while 46 per cent are undecided or planning not to vote at all.

The speed of recovery from the historically-major shock caused by coronavirus will undoubtedly play a part in where those voters decide to turn next, as will whether the Government can still deliver on its promise to ‘level up’ the country amidst a economic and health crisis.

Equally, the party is likely to play into cultural divides on issues like immigration – as is being seen with its approach to the Channel crossings – as a way of reinforcing its differences to Labour. But for now at least, Brexit is on the backburner in the minds of voters.

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James Mitchinson

Editor