"Bregretful" Britain: Majority of UK Residents Want to Rejoin EU, Regretting Brexit

Strategic Insights -

Nine years after the UK's narrow Brexit referendum result, the majority of Britons, 56 per cent, want to see the UK return to being part of the European Union. A YouGov poll has revealed the extent of public dissatisfaction with the outcome of the vote, which led to David Cameron's term as prime minister ending. The survey found that 61 per cent believe Brexit has been a failure, with the overwhelming majority, more than eight out of ten, blaming Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party. The UK's exit from the bloc is on course to cut UK trade by 15 per cent, according to the government's independent financial watchdog, despite Vote Leave campaigners arguing it would boost the UK's trade.

Key Takeaways:

  • 56 per cent of the UK public wants the UK to return to being part of the EU.
  • 61 per cent believe Brexit has been a failure.
  • More than eight out of ten people blame Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party for Brexit's failure.
  • 65 per cent now want to see a closer relationship with the EU.
  • Only 28 per cent of Tory voters and 16 per cent of voters for Reform UK want to rejoin the EU.
  • The UK's exit from the EU is expected to cut UK trade by 15 per cent.
  • Labour ministers have pledged to "tear down" barriers to trade with the European Union after new figures showed Brexit has cost UK business £37bn a year.
  • Brexit has created 2 billion extra pieces of paperwork, enough to wrap around the world 15 times.
  • Sir Nick Harvey, CEO of the pro-EU group European Movement UK, has stated that Brexit has delivered a sustained and worsening blow to the UK economy.
  • Matt Smith from YouGov has found that, when asked what type of relationship with the EU people would support, most Britons said they want the UK to return to the EU (56 per cent).

Statistics:

  • 56 per cent of the UK public wants the UK to return to being part of the EU.
  • 61 per cent believe Brexit has been a failure.
  • The UK's exit from the EU is expected to cut UK trade by 15 per cent.
  • Brexit has cost UK business £37bn a year.
  • 2 billion extra pieces of paperwork have been created due to Brexit, enough to wrap around the world 15 times.
  • 44 per cent of people think attempting to rejoin the EU would be the wrong priority right now, compared to 37 per cent who think it would be the right priority.

Sources:

  • YouGov
  • The Independent
  • European Movement UK
  • Labour Party
  • Reform UK
  • Sir Nick Harvey, CEO of the pro-EU group European Movement UK
  • Matt Smith, from YouGov