A decade after the 2016 referendum, a majority of Britons now describe Brexit as a failure [2].
This assessment comes as the United Kingdom evaluates the long-term economic and political consequences of its departure from the European Union. The findings suggest a significant shift in public sentiment as the initial promises of the leave campaign are weighed against a decade of implementation.
According to a survey, 59% of respondents describe Brexit as a failure [2]. In contrast, only 17% of those surveyed consider the process a success [2]. The economic impact remains a primary driver of this dissatisfaction, with 42% of Britons stating they are worse off because of Brexit [2].
The desire to reverse the decision is particularly strong among younger citizens. A poll found that 60% of 18-28-year-olds would vote to re-join the EU if given the chance [4]. This reflects a broader trend where three in five Gen Z Britons want a new vote to re-join the bloc [5].
Commentators have also highlighted the geopolitical strain and the specific challenges facing the region. Fintan O’Toole said, "On our side of the Irish Sea we have made the best of a bad job" [1].
The assessment follows 10 years of navigating the EU-UK relationship, during which predictions regarding trade and sovereignty have been tested. While some proponents of the exit continue to defend the move, the data indicates a growing gap between the 2016 vote and current public opinion, especially among those who were too young to vote in the original referendum.
“59% of respondents describe Brexit as a failure”
The ten-year mark of Brexit reveals a deepening generational divide in British politics. As Gen Z enters the electorate in larger numbers, the high percentage of young voters favoring a return to the EU creates a potential political mandate for 'Rejoin' movements, shifting the debate from the legality of the 2016 vote to the practical economic realities of the present.
