Key facts
- Two-thirds of EU citizens surveyed across 15 countries support the UK rejoining the bloc.
- Most UK voters believe Brexit has negatively impacted key national issues.
- A majority of UK respondents desire closer ties with the EU, including freedom of movement.
- European leaders have expressed openness to the UK's potential return to the EU.
- British voters now prefer Europe over the US as a security partner.
A recent survey indicates a significant shift in public opinion regarding the UK's relationship with the European Union. Two-thirds of EU citizens across 15 countries would support Britain rejoining the bloc, according to polling by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). This sentiment spans across various political leanings, with even voters for EU-critical parties expressing a desire for closer ties.
In the UK, the survey revealed that a majority of voters believe Brexit has had a negative impact on key national issues, including the cost of living, the economy, and immigration. The most common responses when asked about Brexit's benefits were "don't know" or "none of the above," suggesting a widespread perception of damage without clear upside.
This negative verdict on leaving the EU translates into a strong desire for a closer relationship. A large majority of UK respondents favor closer ties, with a significant portion willing to accept freedom of movement in exchange for enhanced trade and economic connections. This willingness extends even to voters who prioritized immigration concerns during the Brexit referendum.
European leaders have also signaled an openness to the UK's return. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated the door is "always open," and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez affirmed Spain's support for British membership. Finland's President Alexander Stubb has explicitly named the UK as a potential candidate for membership, emphasizing the need for a UK voice in Europe.
The report's author, Mark Leonard, suggests that the polling demonstrates the EU's receptiveness to the UK's return and a fundamental shift in the British public's perspective since 2016. He posits that the UK government now has a political opportunity to pursue a closer relationship with Europe, moving beyond the current reset.