New polling reveals overwhelming support for reversing Brexit and rejoining the EU, with all but four constituencies in Great Britain in favor, reports BritPanorama.
The constituency-level survey, conducted with 11,927 UK voters, found that EU membership is the preferred policy option for 35 per cent of respondents regarding Britain’s approach to the bloc. Only 18 per cent support the current government’s stance of a closer relationship with the EU within existing red lines, while just 11 per cent advocate for a looser connection with Europe.
This polling places pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to reconsider Labour’s current red lines on EU relations. Campaigners assert that the findings present a “clear opportunity” for the party to deepen ties with Brussels and potentially enhance support ahead of the next general election.
However, the findings also showed that a mixed-economy option was least favored, with merely 6 per cent supporting a single market and 5 per cent backing a customs union.
The survey indicates that restoring EU membership is the most popular stance across almost all constituencies, except for four dominated by Reform UK and Restore Britain, where “don’t know” was the most common response. Pollsters engaged with voters across all 632 parliamentary constituencies in Great Britain, excluding Northern Ireland.
Tom Brufatto, policy and research director at Best for Britain, commented on the poll, stating it presents a “roadmap to galvanise support” for politicians of all parties, given the widespread backing for restoring Britain’s EU ties. He emphasized that economic analyses suggest such membership could boost the UK economy by at least £92 billion, thereby funding progressive agendas like those championed by Labour leaders.
During a recent meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, Sunak expressed his desire for a “stronger and closer” relationship with the European Union, pointing to a UK-EU summit planned for later this year.
The polling results highlight that EU membership remains the most favored policy among constituents in every region of the UK, particularly in Scotland, where seven of the ten top seats supporting membership are located.
Christine Jardine, a Liberal Democrat MP, reiterated that the data underscores Brexit as a significant economic error and urged for an urgent shift towards close collaboration with European allies as essential for stability and security.
Support for rejoining the EU is especially strong among Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Party supporters, with 55 per cent, 56 per cent, and 67 per cent respectively favoring that path. In Burnham’s own constituency of Makerfield, nearly 30 per cent of respondents chose EU membership as their preferred route.
A government spokesperson stated: “We are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will strengthen our economy and unlock good growth in every postcode.”
Notably, polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice indicated that backing for reinstating EU membership has reached its highest levels since the Brexit referendum, underscoring the necessity for political leaders to act promptly to harness this shift in public sentiment.
As the political landscape evolves and voter preferences shift, the implications for future policy-making regarding the UK’s relationship with Europe are becoming increasingly significant. The mood appears to be changing — a narrative that is likely to shape political discourse in the forthcoming months.
