A major poll reveals British voters regard Brexit as a failure that reduced economic growth, immigration control and national sovereignty, with 72 per cent feeling less in control than before. While 66 per cent of Europeans would welcome UK return, younger Britons show growing disillusionment with democracy itself.
A comprehensive poll across 27 democracies reveals deep disillusionment among British voters ten years after the
Brexit referendum. The survey by Yonder Data Solutions for FGS Global shows UK citizens view departure from the EU as damaging to the economy, immigration control and national sovereignty. Younger generations express particular frustration, with many losing trust in democratic processes altogether.
Widespread regret over Brexit outcomes
The findings paint a stark picture of public sentiment. Seventy two per cent of Britons believe the country now exercises less control over its destiny than before leaving the EU, directly contradicting the central promise of taking back control made by figures like Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage. Only fifteen per cent feel greater autonomy has been achieved. Economic impacts draw even stronger criticism, with sixty six per cent stating Brexit harmed growth while just twenty two per cent see benefits.
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Voters largely dismiss the Project Fear label once applied to Remain campaign warnings. Fifty five per cent now affirm those dire predictions proved accurate, compared to twenty three per cent who disagree. Immigration expectations have also fallen short, as sixty six per cent report no improvement in border management despite Leave campaign assurances.
European perspectives favour UK return
Continental attitudes contrast sharply with British gloom. Fifty per cent of EU citizens say the bloc functions worse without the UK, while only nineteen per cent view the departure positively. A solid sixty six per cent would welcome Britain back into the fold, against sixteen per cent opposed. Paradoxically, fifty nine per cent across Europe see Brexit as proof that exiting the Union leads to regret, deterring other nations from similar moves.
Divided opinions on rejoining debate
UK views on reversal remain split despite the negativity. When asked directly if Britain should rejoin, fifty per cent agree while thirty eight per cent oppose. However, framing the question as whether the UK should avoid rejoining flips results, with forty nine per cent in favour of staying out and thirty six per cent against. This sensitivity highlights persistent divisions from the narrow 52 to 48 per cent referendum outcome.
Pessimism dominates national outlook
Broader anxieties compound Brexit regrets. Only fourteen per cent believe Britains best years lie ahead, the lowest among surveyed nations, while sixty seven per cent insist they are in the past. Seventy three per cent describe the country as heading in the wrong direction. Optimism for future generations fares worse, with just ten per cent expecting improvement against seventy seven per cent predicting decline.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS ADYouth disillusionment threatens democracy
Erosion of faith in elections emerges as particularly acute. Twenty seven per cent of Britons claim voting makes no difference to their lives, highest in the poll, while sixty five per cent disagree. Support for authoritarian alternatives grows, with twelve per cent preferring leaders who bypass elections over seventy nine per cent backing democracy.
Generational gaps widen this trend. Among Gen Z adults up to age twenty eight, eighteen per cent favour strongman rule against seventy two per cent for elections. Baby Boomers aged sixty one to seventy nine show stronger democratic loyalty, with eighty seven per cent preferring elected leaders and only seven per cent supporting authoritarianism.
Global concerns mirror UK crisis
The survey underscores systemic worries across democracies. Sixty nine per cent see democracy weakening worldwide, with seventy four per cent arguing systems favour elites over ordinary citizens. Similarly, sixty nine per cent note strong leaders gaining influence over international bodies. Britain stands out for pessimism but reflects broader unease about representative governance sustainability.
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