Support grows for a second Brexit referendum in the UK as EU talks begin

Support for a second EU referendum in the UK has jumped by eight points since the end of last year, a poll released on Monday 17 July showed. The Opinium survey for Political Betting, of more than 2,000 people between 7 and 11 July, found that 41% of respondents wanted another vote on Brexit.

The research, which will be a blow to Theresa May's pro-Brexit government, comes as Secretary of State for Exiting the EU David Davis is in Brussels. The senior Conservative is in the second round of talks with the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier.

"It's good to be back in Brussels, to open the next formal round of the negotiations," Davis said upon arrival. "We made a good start last month, and as Michel says we are now getting into the substance of the matter.

"As you've heard, it's four categories; the issue of citizens rights, the issue of finance, the issue of separation issues and of course, separately, Northern Ireland.

"For us it is incredibly important that we now make good progress, that we negotiate through this and identify the differences so that we can deal with them, and identify the similarities so we can reinforce them.

"And now, it's time to get down to work and make this a successful negotiation."

The UK government has promised to split from the EU's single-market and customs union. But the plan took a considerable blow when the Tories lost their majority in the House of Commons at the general election.

The party has since settled a "supply and confidence" arrangement with Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party to stay in power as an effective "minority government".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has seen a boost in the opinion polls after his party won 30 extra seats at the election.

The left-winger, alongside Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott and Shadow Brexit Secretary Sir Keir Starmer, met with Barnier in Brussels on 13 July. Corbyn president the French politician with an Arsenal FC shirt and promised to push for a "jobs first" Brexit.

"Labour respects the referendum result and the decision to leave the European Union. But a Labour Brexit would look very different to the race-to-the-bottom tax haven backed by this Conservative government," he said.

"In contrast to the Conservatives' megaphone diplomacy, we will conduct relations with our European neighbours respectfully and in the spirit of friendship. Our strong links with our European sister parties gives Labour an advantage in reaching an outcome that works for both sides.

"Labour would negotiate a jobs-first Brexit deal which puts the economy, jobs and living standards front and centre. Labour would unilaterally guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK because it's the right thing to do."