Brits sentiment inzake Grondwet uiterst negatief (en)

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair faces an uphill struggle to convince voters to back the EU Constitution in a referendum according to the latest polls.

According to a poll by ICM commissioned by eurosceptic weekly, the News of the World, only 25% of British people believe their country should sign up for the EU constitution.

Meanwhile, 55% of questioned were against it and 19% of Britons were still undecided.

However more than half of questioned (51%) also believed that the UK should stay in the EU.

Another survey conducted by ICM and commissioned by the euro-sceptic New Frontiers Foundation shows a strong criticism among British business leaders towards EU and its economic policies.

Only 18% of business leaders believed that EU Constitution would be good for their company. More than half of questioned were convinced that approving the Constitution would damage their business.

Mr Blair's performed a volte-face last week, deciding to hold a public poll on the Constitution after rejecting such calls for months.

The treaty blueprint, should be finalised in June and will have to be ratified by all 25 member states before it can come into force.