Brexit is More Unpopular than Ever: What Now?

Summary

Five years after Brexit, polling reveals that fewer Brits now support the decision to leave the EU, with only 30% saying it was the right choice. A growing number, including some leave voters, regret Brexit as its economic and political consequences unfold. Many Britons see Brexit as a failure, especially in areas like trade, immigration, and economic performance. Despite this, the political landscape remains largely unchanged, with the Labour government ruling out rejoining the EU. As discontent grows, political parties may eventually be forced to reconsider their positions on Brexit.

Takeaways

• 😀 The UK is experiencing growing 'Brexit regret,' with only 30% of Britons believing leaving the EU was the right decision, the lowest percentage ever recorded.
• 😀 A majority of 57% of Britons would vote to rejoin the EU, reflecting a shift in public opinion over the last five years.
• 😀 Younger voters, especially those aged 18-24, are strongly in favor of rejoining the EU, with 60% supporting it.
• 😀 The overall public view of Brexit has been negative, with 62% of Britons considering it a failure, including 22% of Leave voters.
• 😀 The only area in which Brexit is seen positively by the public is the UK's control over its own laws, with 31% seeing this as a benefit.
• 😀 Brexit has been detrimental to the UK economy, with forecasts predicting reduced productivity and a decline in trade with the EU.
• 😀 Brexit's impact on immigration has not met expectations; while EU migration decreased, non-EU immigration has surged, driving net migration to record levels.
• 😀 In terms of economic impact, Brexit has negatively affected UK businesses, especially with non-tariff barriers like customs checks and paperwork.
• 😀 The Labour government, while aiming for a reset in UK-EU relations, has ruled out rejoining the single market or customs union.
• 😀 The Liberal Democrats are pushing for a new customs union deal, but the political landscape remains resistant to reversing Brexit, despite growing public dissatisfaction.

Q & A

What percentage of Britons currently believe Brexit was the right decision?

According to Yugo's January 2025 data, only 30% of Britons believe the UK was right to vote to leave the EU, while 55% believe it was the wrong decision.

How does the public opinion on Brexit differ among younger and older voters?

Younger voters are significantly more likely to view Brexit negatively. For instance, 60% of 18-24 year olds, who were too young to vote in 2016, would vote to rejoin the EU.

What does polling data suggest about the UK's desire to rejoin the EU?

Polling by Redfield and Wilton found that 57% of respondents would vote to rejoin the EU, while 43% would prefer to stay out.

What is the public's general view on the success of Brexit?

The public generally views Brexit as a failure, with only 11% believing it has been successful, and 62% considering it a failure.

What aspect of Brexit do some Britons consider positive?

The 'take back control' message seems to be the only area where Brexit is viewed positively, with 31% of the public believing it has had a positive impact on the UK's ability to control its own laws.

How has Brexit impacted the UK economy according to polling data?

Polling shows overwhelmingly negative views regarding Brexit's impact on the economy. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts a 4% decrease in the UK's economic potential and a 15% reduction in trade volume with the EU.

How has Brexit affected the UK’s trade with the EU?

Brexit has hurt the UK's trade in goods with the EU, particularly for smaller businesses that struggle with non-tariff barriers such as customs checks and paperwork.

What was one of the main promises made during the Brexit referendum regarding immigration?

One of the promises made during the referendum was that Brexit would allow the UK to take control of its borders and reduce net migration to below 100,000.

What impact has Brexit had on immigration levels in the UK?

Despite the expectation that Brexit would reduce immigration, net migration has reached record levels. Non-EU immigration has soared, offsetting the decline in EU migration.

What are the political implications of the public's evolving view on Brexit?

Despite growing dissatisfaction with Brexit, the political establishment, especially the Labour government, has consistently ruled out rejoining the EU single market or customs union. The Liberal Democrats, however, are pushing for a new customs union deal with the EU.