Former-PM Blair pushes for UK to remain in EU but polls contradict him


Former Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed in a recent interview that "it is possible now that Brexit doesn't happen," despite a poll commissioned by him showing otherwise.

Blair had said that public opinion regarding Brexit was changing and has lately been pushing for Britain to remain in the European Union, however a poll which he commissioned revealed that some 56 percent of respondents believe that "Brexit must mean Brexit," while more than 40 percent preferred a so-called "Hard Brexit," another 40 percent would prefer a "Soft Brexit" and some 20 percent said that a second referendum should be held.

In a fresh assault on Brexit on Sunday, Blair said it was "absolutely necessary that it doesn't happen" because of the economic and political "damage" it is causing.

Despite Prime Minister Theresa May's staunch declaration that there shall be no second referendum on the European Union, Blair urged voters to reconsider their decision, saying, "I think every day is bringing us fresh evidence that it's doing us damage economically, certainly doing us damage politically and I think that when people really reflect on why we wanted to do Brexit […] they can see that in respect of the immigration issue, the overwhelming majority of these European migrants who come into our country are people we actually need for various reasons."

Despite his sayings, the poll found that 75 percent believe the government's immigration policy is "too open," compared to a tiny four percent who believed it was "too closed."

Blair said that Brexit is not the answer to the immigration problem, be it from Eastern Europe or outside the continent. He had opened the country's borders to Eastern European countries in 2004 after they joined the EU, citing "very good" economic reasons.

He also said he believes that Labor's Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister.

"If we deliver Brexit and at the same time are delivering the program he has at the moment, we will be in for a very, very difficult time as a country," he said, but added that "there have been so many political upsets it's possible Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister and Labor could win on that program," he said.