A new survey indicates 58% of voters would support rejoining the European Union if another Brexit referendum were held, though the government has reiterated that returning to the bloc is not on the cards
The UK left the EU on January 31, 2020 (Image: PA)
New polling suggests that if another Brexit referendum were to be held, a majority of voters would support rejoining the European Union. According to the data, nearly six in 10 people, or 58 percent, would vote to return to the bloc.
These findings are from a Deltapoll survey for the Mirror, released ahead of the tenth anniversary of the 2016 Brexit vote later this year.
Young voters overwhelmingly back rejoining
More than eight in 10 individuals aged 18 to 24, or 86 percent, stated they would vote to rejoin the EU.
However, older age groups were more split. Among those aged 55 to 64, a slim majority backed staying out of the EU by 51 percent to 49 percent.
Support for remaining outside the bloc increased to 58 percent among over 65s.
Clear divide along party lines
Conservative and Reform UK voters strongly favour the current Brexit settlement, with 66 percent of Conservative voters and 82 percent of Reform supporters backing staying out of the EU.
On the other hand, Labour and Liberal Democrat voters are firmly pro rejoin. Approximately 71 percent of Labour supporters and 78 percent of Lib Dem voters said they would vote to return to the EU.
Every region showed majority support for rejoining the EU. Scotland recorded the strongest backing at 73 percent, followed by London and Wales, both at 65 percent.
Support was lower in the Midlands at 53 percent and the North at 54 percent, but both regions still favoured rejoining over staying out.
Starmer seeks closer ties but rules out rejoining
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has taken steps to mend relations with European partners after years of Brexit disputes under Conservative governments. He secured a trade deal with Brussels last year and confirmed the UK will rejoin the Erasmus+ programme, enabling British students to study in Europe again.
On Sunday, Mr Starmer indicated a willingness for deeper cooperation with the EU and said he would consider even closer alignment with the single market. However, he dismissed calls to reverse Brexit entirely.
Speaking to the BBC, he stated that the Government would not rejoin the EU, adding that closer cooperation was clearly outlined in Labour’s manifesto.
Senior Labour figures have started to push further. Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly supported a new customs union with the EU before Christmas.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak also told the Mirror that closer ties with Brussels were crucial, citing concerns about Donald Trump as an unreliable international ally.
Campaigners say Brexit has failed
Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, said the polling reflected widespread public disappointment with Brexit.
She stated that voters increasingly perceive Brexit as a failure, especially as global instability escalates and relations with the US become less predictable. She further noted that rebuilding trust with Europe would be crucial before any future move towards the customs union, single market or EU membership.
Government holds firm on red lines
Despite the polling, Downing Street has reiterated that re-joining the single market or customs union remains off the table.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman asserted that the Government was committed to resetting relations with the EU, but insisted that its red lines had not changed.
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