A stark new opinion poll has revealed a deepening national consensus that the United Kingdom is worse off after leaving the European Union. Published on Wednesday 7 January 2026, the survey indicates a majority of the public believes Brexit has negatively impacted the economy, border security, and the UK's standing in the world.
Reader Reflections: A Catalogue of Failure
The findings prompted a wave of reflection from Independent readers, who dissected the root causes of the perceived decline. A common thread among the comments was the argument that Brexit itself was not the core problem, but rather decades of governmental failure to implement it effectively. This has resulted, they say, in a weaker economy and diminished global clout.
Many highlighted the hollow nature of the promise to "take back control," pointing to trade deals that disadvantage the UK, ongoing border challenges, and a lack of tangible benefits from departure. The sentiment that "Brexit benefits exist for everybody but us" was powerfully summarised by one reader, Rasputin007, who argued the UK's desperation for deals post-EU left it vulnerable in negotiations with larger markets.
Emotion Over Reason and a Knife-Edge Vote
Other readers placed blame squarely on the 2016 referendum campaign, suggesting public support was stirred by misleading claims and driven more by emotion than a clear understanding of the consequences. The narrowness of the result itself was also criticised, with commenter PwhiSto questioning the wisdom of enacting such a monumental constitutional change on a "knife-edge 50/50 vote." They suggested a clearer mandate should have been required.
The discussion also turned to the future, with several readers warning that the UK's over-reliance on the United States, particularly under a potential new Donald Trump administration, is forcing a reassessment. Commenter Harry argued that the loss of influence makes rejoining the EU a geopolitical necessity, albeit on less favourable terms than the UK once enjoyed.
Political Paralysis and the Road Ahead
A sense of political paralysis permeates the debate. Readers like Ian Robinson contended that governments are motivated more by winning elections than heeding public opinion, citing the original referendum as a tactical gambit by David Cameron. Meanwhile, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer signalling closer alignment with the EU's single market to ease Brexit harm, readers are questioning the speed and ambition of the response.
Benjaminrabbit urged swift action, stating "time is very much of the essence for the economic welfare of the UK," while HASTINGSPIERE soberly noted that any return to the bloc would be on the EU's terms, with the UK's former privileges lost for good. The prevailing mood, as captured in the poll and the reader response, is one of regret and a search for pragmatic solutions to a decision that continues to define the nation's trajectory.
