Majority of Britons Now Support Rejoining EU, Poll Shows
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Over half of Britons now support rejoining the EU, with strong backing among Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green supporters.
- Research indicates a growing sentiment for full EU membership, contrasting with Labour's current policy of closer alignment but not membership.
- Experts warn Labour risks alienating progressive voters by maintaining a "muted" stance on Brexit, while some Conservative and Reform voters also favor closer EU ties.
Ten years after the Brexit referendum, a significant shift in public opinion is evident, with a majority of Britons now favoring rejoining the European Union over simply rejoining the single market. This finding, highlighted by research from Best for Britain and reported by The Guardian, underscores a growing disillusionment with the current post-Brexit arrangements. The data reveals that a substantial 53% of all voters support full EU re-entry, a figure that balloons to over 80% among Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green party supporters. This presents a stark challenge for the Labour party, whose current policy advocates for closer alignment but explicitly rules out membership. Experts cited in the report suggest that Labour's cautious approach, described as a "strategy of silence," risks alienating the very progressive voters it needs to win back, particularly in traditional "red wall" constituencies. The research also indicates that even a notable minority of Conservative and Reform voters are open to closer EU relations, suggesting that the Brexit debate is far from settled. From a UK perspective, this polling is significant. It suggests that the economic and social consequences of Brexit, coupled with the perceived lack of tangible benefits, are leading a growing segment of the population to reconsider the decision made a decade ago. The Guardian's reporting frames this within the context of ongoing political calculations, noting that the loss of liberal voters on Brexit issues could be more damaging to Labour than losing support to pro-Brexit parties. The article also touches upon the complexities of rejoining, such as the implications for sovereignty and regulatory alignment, as articulated by Tom Brufatto of Best for Britain. This nuanced discussion is vital for understanding the evolving landscape of UK-EU relations and the potential future direction of British politics.
We think that there is inherent risk with halfway houses.
Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.