Can you trust the polls?
After having heard of the tragic death of Jo Cox, which is closely related to the upcoming referendum, I was wondering if it had changed the opinion of the people about staying in or leaving the EU. Shortly before her death, the LEAVE side was beginning to slightly jump ahead. However, when looking up the pools after her death, I interestingly found numerous articles with different opinions.
Some state that the REMAIN side has gained polularity again, such as an article on Bloomberg, stating that
“The poll marked a reversal of positions from Survation’s previous survey, which was released just before pro-EU Labour Party lawmaker Cox was shot and stabbed on Thursday as she met constituents in her electoral district in northern England.”
However, it is also entitled “First Brexit Poll Since Jo Cox Killing Has ‘Remain’ in Lead”. Furthermore, the independent also shows the headline: “Brexit poll carried out after death of Jo Cox MP puts Remain camp ahead”, pointing out that
“Remain has opened up a three-point lead in the EU referendum in the wake of the killing of the Labour MP Jo Cox, according to a new opinion poll.”
However, interestingly, there are also articles talking about the exact difference. On the website of USA Today, I found an article called “Exclusive poll: EU support falls after Jo Cox murder”, which points out that
“British support for remaining in theEuropean Union has weakened in the wake of the murder of the pro-EU politician Jo Cox”
Another article I found, called “First Brexit Poll After Jo Cox Death Reveals Stunning Result” also reveals that the LEAVE side has gained popularity since Jo Cox death.
However, to complete the confusion, I found two more articles which seemed undecided about whether Jo Cox death has influenced the LEAVE oder the REMAIN side.
All together I believe that it is important not to forget that both polls and off course articles can be manipulated or not always telling the truth. Still, I believe that the whole situation is running out of control, having resulted in one death already. I think that although we can take a look at the polls to have a slight idea about the outcome of the referendum in three days, we cannot do anything more than wait and see what will happen.
