IMechE referendum poll reveals slim ‘remain’ majority
1 Jun 2016
A poll conducted by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) reveals 56% of its members support the UK remaining in the European Union (EU).
That is in comparison to 27% who want to leave, and 17% who are undecided, the poll finds.
A similar survey conducted in April last year found that 72% of IMechE members supported the UK staying in the EU.
Government must focus on the key engineering issues likely to be affected by the decision
Stephen Tetlow, chief executive of the IMechE
However, Stephen Tetlow, chief executive of the IMechE, said: "The majority of mechanical engineers continue to support the UK staying in the European Union, but these latest results show that the number of engineers who are undecided on how to vote is still relatively high."
Tetlow said that the government needs to ensure the result of the referendum does not damage the UK’s "vital" engineering and manufacturing sectors.
"Government must focus on the key engineering issues likely to be affected by the decision.
"The most pressing are improving access to markets and people with the right skills, ensuring open access to foreign investment and growth in research funding as well as ensuring the UK is still able to continue to play a leading role in influencing European codes and standards."
Tetlow also said the hovering uncertainty over the UK’s future in the EU could explain the manufacturing sector's recent output decline and subsequent return into recession.
News analysis
The outcome of the EU referendum could have huge repercussions for British industry. In an article taken from the May issue of Process Engineering, we look at how some of the UK’s other engineering institutions have responded.
