Nearly half of voters in the United Kingdom say they would support the country rejoining the European Union, according to a major new opinion poll that could strengthen calls within the Labour government for a broader review of Britain’s post-Brexit relationship with the bloc. The survey also indicates that a Labour government campaigning for renewed EU membership could potentially increase its share of the vote, adding another dimension to an increasingly prominent debate over whether Britain should reconsider the consequences of Brexit.
The findings come as Prime Minister Andy Burnham has opened the door to examining a range of possible arrangements with the EU, including the possibility of full membership. Burnham, who recently used his first Labour conference speech as party leader to announce a review of Britain’s future relationship with Europe, has said that the government should consider all available options. These range from maintaining the existing arrangements to closer cooperation through a customs union or the single market, with full re-entry into the EU also being considered.
The latest survey, conducted by the Messina Group, found that almost half of voters expressed support for rejoining the European Union. The research also examined how different approaches to the issue could affect voting intentions. According to the findings reported by media, Labour’s vote share could rise by as much as seven percentage points in a scenario where the party proposed a fresh referendum and campaigned for Britain to return to the EU. The poll therefore provides evidence that the issue could have electoral consequences, although it does not establish how voters would ultimately behave at a future general election.
The survey also explored what mechanism voters would expect to be used before Britain could return to the bloc. Almost one-third of respondents said another in-or-out referendum would be necessary. More than one in six believed a government could seek a mandate through a general election, while a similar proportion thought Parliament should have the authority to make the decision. The differing responses highlight that public opinion on the principle of closer ties with Europe does not necessarily translate into agreement over how such a major constitutional change should be carried out.
The issue has gained renewed prominence after Burnham said Brexit had caused more harm than good and announced that his government would examine Britain’s long-term relationship with its European neighbours. He subsequently clarified that the review would include the possibility of going as far as full EU membership. His comments represent a significant change from the approach adopted by his predecessor, Keir Starmer, whose Labour leadership had ruled out returning to the EU single market or customs union as part of its previous position.
Inside the Labour government, however, the prospect of revisiting Brexit remains politically sensitive. Several senior ministers represent constituencies that voted to leave the EU in the 2016 referendum. According to The Guardian, around two-thirds of cabinet ministers, including Burnham, First Secretary Louise Haigh, Chancellor John Healey and Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, represent constituencies that backed Brexit. Many Labour politicians representing such areas remain conscious of the divisions created by the referendum and are wary of reopening the issue.
Some Labour figures have consequently urged caution. Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell has argued that Britain could strengthen its defence and security relationship with European countries but has questioned whether moving beyond the existing EU reset agenda would be desirable or achievable. Concerns have also been raised that making a clear commitment to rejoining the EU could provide an opportunity for Reform UK and its leader Nigel Farage to regain political momentum among voters who remain opposed to reversing Brexit.
The debate is also being shaped by changing public attitudes towards Brexit. Downing Street has been seeking evidence on public opinion, with officials speaking to thinktanks, polling organisations and European policy experts to understand how voters might respond to different forms of closer engagement with the EU. The government is considering whether a commitment to negotiate over possible re-entry could eventually form part of Labour’s next election manifesto.
Recent discussions among Labour voters also suggest that attitudes towards Brexit are not straightforward. A separate focus group reported by the media found that several voters who had previously supported leaving the EU now felt dissatisfied with the outcome. At the same time, participants expressed uncertainty about the terms on which Britain might be allowed to rejoin, suggesting that support for closer European ties may depend heavily on the practical conditions attached to any future agreement.
The latest polling therefore adds weight to the argument that the political conversation around Brexit has changed since the 2016 referendum. While the figures show substantial support for reconsidering EU membership, they also reveal differences over the process and terms of any potential return. For Burnham and Labour, the question is consequently not only whether voters want a closer relationship with Europe, but also what form that relationship should take and how any change would be authorised. The government is expected to provide greater clarity as it continues its review of Britain’s relationship with the EU ahead of the next UK-EU discussions.
