Predictably, those who voted Remain in the EU referendum backed the deal by a huge margin — with 78 percent in favor. But even 50 percent of Leave voters are keen.
Poll respondents were explicitly warned that the agreement “means we will be bound to European regulations on these products” — but most didn’t seem to care.
The government says the SPS or “sanitary and phytosanitary” agreement will smooth trade in food, animals and other plant products like flowers by eliminating the need for much red tape at the border.
The benefits could be lower prices, less fragile supply chains and more choice, ministers argue — as well as simpler Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland.
The quid pro quo would be that the U.K. would once again have to follow EU rules; this time with little say in what they are.
The poll adds to the mounting pile of evidence that while Brexit concerns about migration have always had popular purchase in the U.K., dogma about regulatory alignment has always been more of an elite obsession.
