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UK public opinion on European Union relations

Updated 13 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-10-03 21:19 UTC → 2026-10-03 22:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Public opinion in the United Kingdom continues to trend toward closer ties with the European Union. Recent YouGov data shows that 57 per cent of adult respondents believe leaving the EU was a mistake, a sentiment that has remained above 50 per cent since 2022. While 64 per cent of former ‘Leave’ voters still defend their original choice, 23 per cent now believe the UK was wrong to exit. Research by Public First indicates that 70 per cent of Britons desire closer relations, including 51 per cent of Reform UK voters. Political discourse has shifted as Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed openness to reversing Brexit, stating the nation should not leave the issue hanging. During an address at the Labour Party conference, Burnham noted that Brexit has caused “more harm than benefit” and announced the government will review various options for the UK’s future relationship with the bloc, including potential full re-entry, a customs union, or returning to the single market. Burnham has expressed a personal desire to see the country rejoin the union during his lifetime. A Messina Group poll of 11,461 respondents reflects this sentiment, finding that 49 per cent of British citizens favor rejoining the EU, while 28.5 per cent wish to remain outside the bloc. The poll also found that 52.4 per cent of those surveyed believe the 2016 decision to leave was a mistake, and 54.9 per cent characterize Brexit as a failure. While renegotiating relations could boost Labour Party support by an estimated 4.3 to 7.4 percentage points if a new referendum is promised, the prospect has caused internal tension. Some ministers and Labour MPs fear reopening the debate could reignite social divisions and benefit the Reform UK party.

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