Ten years after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, public opinion appears to have shifted significantly, with a majority of Britons now supporting a return to the bloc, according to a recent survey. The findings underline a growing reassessment of Brexit among voters, amid ongoing political and economic debates about the country’s future relationship with Europe.
Polling conducted by the campaign group Best for Britain shows that around 53% of respondents favour rejoining the EU, marking a notable change from the deeply divided sentiment that characterised the 2016 referendum. Support for re-entry is particularly strong among voters aligned with centre-left and pro-European parties, including Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Greens, indicating a clear political divide on the issue.
The survey explored multiple potential pathways for the UK’s future ties with the EU, ranging from maintaining the current post-Brexit arrangements to fully rejoining the union. While full membership attracted majority backing, intermediate options such as rejoining the single market or customs union were seen as politically complex due to concerns over sovereignty and regulatory alignment.
The data also highlights dissatisfaction with the current approach to EU relations, with only a small proportion of respondents expressing strong support for the government’s existing strategy. Analysts suggest this could present a challenge for the Labour government, which has so far adopted a cautious stance, focusing on improving trade and regulatory cooperation without reopening the question of membership.
Since formally leaving the EU in 2020, the UK has diverged from dozens of European regulations, complicating trade negotiations and increasing friction in sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. Efforts to negotiate sector-specific agreements, including on food standards, have faced hurdles due to these regulatory differences.
Political observers note that the economic consequences of Brexit, along with shifting geopolitical dynamics, have contributed to changing public attitudes. Prominent figures, including senior politicians and policy experts, have argued that the costs associated with leaving the EU are influencing voters to reconsider their position, potentially paving the way for future debates on rejoining.
However, despite the apparent rise in support for EU membership, significant political and practical obstacles remain. Rejoining would likely require complex negotiations with the EU and acceptance of conditions that may differ from those the UK previously enjoyed, including closer regulatory alignment and potential compromises on sovereignty.
The evolving public mood reflects a broader trend observed in recent years, with opinion polls consistently indicating growing regret over Brexit and increasing support for stronger ties with Europe. While a return to the EU is not currently on the political agenda, the latest findings suggest that the debate over Britain’s place in Europe is far from settled, even a decade after the historic referendum.
