United Kingdom sees growing support for EU re‑entry as Brexit judged a mistake

A decade after the 2016 referendum, a YouGov poll shows 58% of Britons now consider Brexit a mistake, while only 29% would still vote to leave. Overall, 53% support the United Kingdom re‑joining the EU, with backing from 83% of Labour voters, 84% of Liberal Democrats, and 82% of Greens; even 39% of Conservative respondents favour re‑entry.

Economic and social expectations have not materialised: growth has stalled, and per‑capita income is projected to fall behind Poland by the end of the decade. Immigration controls have not reduced overall migration; the UK now sees three times more Poles leaving than arriving, and immigration from non‑EU countries has risen. The shifting global landscape—reduced US partnership, rising trade barriers and a perceived Russian threat—has further eroded the appeal of isolation.

Politicians such as Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and former health minister Wes Streeting openly advocate full EU membership, while Labour leader Keir Starmer speaks of a “return to the heart of Europe” and hints at deeper economic ties, including freer goods movement. Any re‑entry would require unanimous consent from all 27 EU members, with some states possibly demanding referendums.