A new poll has revealed that a majority of British voters now support rejoining the European Union, marking a significant shift in public opinion nearly a year after Brexit was completed. The survey by Savanta ComRes found that 53% of respondents would vote to rejoin, while 47% would stay out, a four-point surge in support for reversing the 2016 referendum.
The poll highlights growing disillusionment with Brexit, driven by goods shortages and clashes with Brussels over fishing and vaccines. One in ten Leave voters and one in five Conservative supporters now want to rejoin the bloc, while 40% of adults back a fresh referendum within the next five years.
Research director Chris Hopkins noted that “issues such as disrupted supply chains and spats with fellow European leaders over fishing and vaccines may have cut through.” He pointed to strong support among younger voters, with 77% of 18- to 34-year-olds and 80% of those who did not vote in 2016 favouring rejoining.
The poll comes as the economic impact of Brexit becomes clearer, with the Office for Budget Responsibility estimating a 4% fall in GDP, double the loss from the Covid pandemic. Exporters have faced huge costs and barriers, wiping £17bn from trade in just three months, and ministers have conceded that Brexit contributed to autumn food and fuel shortages.
Despite the shift in public opinion, neither Labour nor the Liberal Democrats advocate rejoining the EU, with Labour leader Keir Starmer determined to “make Brexit work.” Prime Minister Boris Johnson is seen as benefiting from stoking Brexit battles to retain “Red Wall” voters who delivered his 2019 landslide.
