66% of EU Citizens Back UK Rejoining as 75% of Britons Want Closer Ties
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 21
66% of EU Citizens Back UK Rejoining as 75% of Britons Want Closer Ties
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 21
Summary
ECFR polling across 15 countries found 66% of EU respondents would support Britain rejoining the bloc, above the 59% favoring only a closer relationship and 46% backing the status quo.
75% of UK respondents wanted closer ties with the EU, after majorities said Brexit had worsened the cost of living, the economy, youth opportunity, illegal immigration and trade.
63% of Britons said they would accept free movement in exchange for closer trading ties, including 57% of 2016 Leave voters; only 18% rejected that trade-off.
Support extended beyond pro-EU voters: 71% of Poland's Confederation backers and 58% of both Germany's AfD and France's National Rally supporters favored closer UK-EU relations.
Ten years after the referendum, the survey suggests Brexit's political taboo is fading, giving the UK government wider room to deepen economic, security and defense links with Europe.
With Britons now backing free movement, what is the ultimate price for rejoining the EU's single market?
Can the EU's 'open door' for Britain overcome the political deadlock that still divides both sides?
As the UK pivots to Europe for defense, how will this challenge the traditional US-led security alliance?
Brexit at a Crossroads: 62% of Britons Reject Further EU Separation in 2026
Overview
As of June 2026, public opinion in the UK has shifted clearly away from further separation from the European Union. Recent polling shows that only 21% of people support loosening ties with the EU, while 62% are opposed, resulting in a net support of -41. This marks a decline from 28% support in January 2024. Even among those who voted to leave in 2016, less than half now want more separation. These trends highlight a growing realization of Brexit’s impact and a broad re-evaluation of the UK’s direction, with most of the public now favoring closer relations with Europe.