Brexit poll: two years later, two-thirds of Britons back a future referendum on EU re-entry

[ad_1]

Sign up to our free Brexit and beyond email for the latest headlines on what Brexit means for the UKSign up to our Brexit email for the latest news

Two years after the UK left the European Union, nearly two-thirds of Britons now support a referendum on re-entry.

An exclusive Savanta survey for The Independent also shows opposition to another vote has plummeted, with those who say there should never be one falling below a quarter.

The UK officially left the EU on January 31, 2020, but the transition period meant it abided by the laws of Brussels and remained in the single market until December 31.

Since then, Britons believe the economy, the UK’s global influence and the ability to control our own borders have all deteriorated, the survey also shows.

This appears to have helped to increase the number of people wanting a future membership referendum.

The number of those who say there should be another vote is now 65%, down from 55% at the same time last year, although they are split over the timing. And those who say there should never be a second referendum have fallen from 32% to 24%.

Chris Hopkins of Savanta said many may have overestimated the potential benefits of Brexit.

It’s hard to imagine being in the EU would solve the country’s current economic problems, he said. but perceptions matter.

Ha added that the perception that Brexit had made it harder to control our own borders was not the resumption of control promised to everyone who voted Leave.

Getting Brexit done was Boris Johnson’s major project

(Getty Images/PA)

The survey also found that 54% now say Brexit was the wrong decision, up from 46% last year, on the first anniversary of Britain’s exit.

Not only do Britons think Brexit has made many things worse, but the percentage who think it has increased in many areas over the past year.

A total of 56% think leaving the EU has made the economy worse, down from 44% previously.

Half of Britons believe it has worsened the UK’s ability to control our own borders, a key Brexiteer commitment, from 43% to 50%.

And the proportion who think it has worsened Britain’s global influence is also now at 50%, down from 39%.

But the consequences of leaving the EU are beginning to be felt for many voters

(Getty)

The findings come amid renewed focus on the effects of Brexit.

Britain’s Chambers of Commerce last week called on the government to re-examine how trade with Europe can be improved, two years after former Prime Minister Boris Johnson struck a deal.

Earlier this month, researchers from the London School of Economics (LSE) also found that Brexit had added 210 to the average household food bill in the two years to the end of 2021, due to bureaucracy additional.

There are signs that even some Brexiteers are getting frustrated. Former minister George Eustice recently made headlines when he criticized a post-Brexit trade deal with Australia, saying it was giving too much for too little in return.

Commenting on the results of the latest poll, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokeswoman Layla Moran said: “It’s no wonder the British public feel this way, when the Tories have worked to make it harder for the small businesses to trade with our neighbours, farmers to sell their products abroad and scientists to cooperate with their counterparts.

“The decision by Conservative governments to erect barriers to trade with our biggest trading partner is the last thing we need, especially in this cost of living crisis.

A government spokesman said: We are taking full advantage of the many benefits of Brexit and restoring the UK’s status as a sovereign and independent country which determines its own future.

We have regained control of our borders, restored national control over our law-making process, and removed many red tape, saving businesses and consumers money across the country.

[ad_2]