A new poll indicates that a majority of Britons would vote to re-join the European Union if a new referendum were held [1].
This shift in public sentiment reflects a deepening divide over the United Kingdom's economic and political trajectory following its departure from the bloc. As the effects of Brexit continue to materialize, the growing desire for reintegration suggests that the original 2016 decision is increasingly viewed as a mistake by a significant portion of the electorate.
Data from the June 2026 polling indicates that more than 50% of Britons would now favor returning to the EU [1]. This trend is particularly pronounced among younger citizens, with only a small minority of 18- to 28-year-olds believing the UK should remain outside the union [5].
The dissatisfaction is largely driven by the perceived failure of Brexit to deliver promised benefits. According to recent data, 48% of Britons said Brexit is going worse than they predicted [2]. This marks a significant increase from 2021, when only 27% of the population held that view [3].
Public appetite for a formal reversal of the decision is growing. Half of Britons now want a second Brexit vote [4]. This demand for a new referendum comes amid ongoing debates regarding the UK's economic impact and political stability since leaving the EU.
While the poll shows a clear majority favoring re-entry, the process of returning to the EU would require complex negotiations with the remaining member states. The current mood in the UK suggests a populace that is increasingly weary of the consequences of isolation, a sentiment that could pressure future governments to reconsider the nation's relationship with Europe.
“A majority of Britons would vote to re-join the European Union if a new referendum were held.”
The reversal in public opinion suggests that the 'Brexit dividend' has failed to materialize for a plurality of the UK population. The sharp increase in dissatisfaction—rising from 27% in 2021 to 48% in 2026—indicates that the long-term economic frictions of leaving the single market have finally outweighed the initial political appeal of sovereignty for many voters, particularly Gen Z.
