A dark horse, or a stalking horse?
Brexit campaigners 'use ECJ backlash to rally support for Rees-Mogg'
Social media analysis finds issues such as European court are behind wave of online support for MP as potential Tory leader
Dan Roberts Brexit policy editor
@RobertsDan
Monday 28 August 2017 05.45 BST
Brexit campaigners have seized on signs of a possible climbdown over Europe and are using it to rally support around alternative Tory leaders, according to a study.
Analysis of social media activity, a key political battleground during the referendum, reveals a particular backlash at the European court of justice (ECJ) after ministers hinted it could play a continued role in British affairs after March 2019.
Researchers at Signify, a data science company, used public data to examine 50,646 individuals sharing articles about the ECJ on platforms such as Facebook and found four times as many people were pro-Brexit than pro-remain, while 83% expressed negative sentiment about the court.
Promotion of hot button issues such as the ECJ now appears to be behind a wave of online support for Tory politicians who are opposed to any softening of the government strategy, and may stir a similar resurgence in support for Ukip as Labour also softens its Brexit message.
“The issue is a proxy for sovereignty and control, and has become a tool for galvanising Tory Brexiteers and Ukip supporters, coalescing their support around Jacob Rees-Mogg,” said Joe Harrod, chief operating officer of Signify.
“It’s hard for remainers to get traction on this topic because all their arguments are about process and statutes, while many leave voters genuinely regard sovereignty and the rule of Brussels as a red line issue. It’s a perfect topic to energise that base.”
More:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/28/brexiters-ecj-backlash-rally-support-jacob-rees-mogg