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European Union

Brexit's Ongoing Damage: Polls Indicate Extensive Disillusionment

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Poll after poll has revealed extensive disillusionment over the UK's Brexit decision, with a new poll by More in Common declaring that 58% of Britons believe Brexit has been a failure compared to 24% who say it has been a success. The poll also shows that 53% of Britons would vote to remain in the European Union if a referendum were held now, including 17% of 2016 Leave voters. Only 29% would still vote to leave the EU, with 8% saying they did not know how they would vote and 11% declaring they would not vote. The findings indicate a significant shift in public opinion, with nearly half of Britons now supporting holding a referendum on rejoining the EU in the next five years, including 74% of Leave voters who have since switched to supporting Remain.

Key Takeaways:

  • A More in Common poll found that 58% of Britons believe Brexit has been a failure compared to 24% who say it has been a success.
  • 53% of Britons would vote to remain in the European Union if a referendum were held now, including 17% of 2016 Leave voters.
  • Only 29% would still vote to leave the EU, with 8% saying they did not know how they would vote and 11% declaring they would not vote.
  • Nearly half of Britons (48%) now support holding a referendum on rejoining the EU in the next five years, including 74% of Leave voters who have since switched to supporting Remain.
  • 74% of Leave voters who switched to supporting Remain now support rejoining the EU, while only 37% oppose holding another vote.
  • A YouGov poll in June found that 56% of people wanted to see the UK return to the EU, with only 31% opposing such a move.
  • The majority of those who elected this Government last year (56%) say that rejoining the EU is the right priority, as do similar numbers of Green (59%) and Lib Dem (55%) voters.
  • Labour has been estimating a boost of about 0.1% to UK gross domestic product by 2040 from the India trade deal, which has been criticized for being a small gain.
  • Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has called on Labour to "seize the moment" and deliver rejoining the EU, citing the "public will" for change.
  • Office for Budget Responsibility chairman Richard Hughes has stated that Brexit's effect reduces the UK's overall output by around 4% compared to remaining in the EU.

Statistics:

  • 58% of Britons believe Brexit has been a failure (More in Common poll).
  • 53% of Britons would vote to remain in the European Union if a referendum were held now (More in Common poll).
  • 29% would still vote to leave the EU (More in Common poll).
  • 8% of respondents said they did not know how they would vote (More in Common poll).
  • 11% of respondents declared they would not vote (More in Common poll).
  • 74% of Leave voters who switched to supporting Remain now support rejoining the EU (More in Common poll).
  • 37% oppose holding another vote (More in Common poll).
  • 56% of people wanted to see the UK return to the EU (YouGov poll).
  • 31% opposed returning to the EU (YouGov poll).
  • 56% of those who elected this Government last year say that rejoining the EU is the right priority (YouGov poll).
  • 25% of voters think attempting to rejoin is the wrong priority at the current time (YouGov poll).
  • Brexit reduces the UK's overall output by around 4% compared to remaining in the EU (Office for Budget Responsibility).

Sources:

  • More in Common, poll for The Sunday Times, published over the weekend.
  • YouGov, poll published in June.
  • The Guardian, article by Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, on Tuesday.
  • Office for Budget Responsibility chairman Richard Hughes, statement in spring 2023.

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