UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A YouGov survey shows 54% of Britons support rejoining the EU, but support drops sharply if former opt-outs are not included.
As reported by The Guardian, ten years after MPs approved the Brexit referendum, a new poll shows that most people in the four biggest EU countries would support the UK rejoining the EU, but only with new conditions.
YouGov survey on the UK–EU relations
The YouGov survey, conducted across six western European nations including the UK, found growing British support for rejoining the EU. However, a majority would only back a return if the UK retains its previous opt-outs.
The pollster described the findings as a “public opinion impasse.” Although Labour has renewed ties with the EU this year, there is currently little political appetite for a formal bid to rejoin the bloc.
A YouGov opinion survey revealed that public sentiment across Europe is leaning in favour of Britain rejoining the EU. Between 51% and 63% of people in Italy, France, Spain, and Germany expressed support.
Respondents were asked whether Britain should rejoin the EU under the same conditions it previously held, including not adopting the euro and remaining outside the Schengen area. Support levels declined across the surveyed countries when these terms were introduced.
Across the four biggest EU countries, just 19–22% of respondents believed Britain should be allowed to rejoin as though it had never left. Most, between 58% and 62%, said the UK should align with all key EU policy areas if it returns.
The pollster tested public opinion by asking whether the UK should be allowed to rejoin the EU if it insisted on keeping its previous opt-outs. While 33–36% of respondents agreed, a larger share, between 41% and 52%, were opposed.
A YouGov poll revealed that 54% of Britons support EU membership when the question is asked without any policy conditions. However, support dropped sharply to 36% when rejoining meant giving up previous opt-outs. In that case, nearly half (45%) opposed renewed membership.
The survey indicated that those who supported Remain and backed pro-EU parties would still favour rejoining the bloc. However, that support dropped when the terms included adopting the euro and joining the Schengen area.
Almost 60% of those who voted Remain still supported rejoining the EU under full membership terms. Labour voters showed 58% backing (down 23 points), while only 49% of Liberal Democrats backed the move (down 31 points).
The share of Eurosceptic voters willing to rejoin the EU without special terms dropped sharply. Support fell from 21% to 10% among Leave voters, from 25% to 12% among Conservatives, and from 15% to 9% among Reform UK supporters.
The poll revealed that Denmark differed from other EU states in its stance. A strong 72% of Danes favoured the UK rejoining the EU, and 43% supported allowing it to retain its former exemptions.
Denmark is one of only three EU countries that have official opt-outs from major EU rules. The poll also showed strong support (63% to 75%) for letting an independent Scotland join the EU.
What did ECFR reveal about EU-UK relations?
The report by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) think tank said,
“There is a remarkable consensus on both sides of the Channel that the time is ripe for a reassessment of EU-UK relations. The EU and the UK are both very vulnerable to prevailing global events, and a reset of relations is the single most effective way to make both sides stronger.”
The report stated,
“It is important to recognise that Brexit and the UK-EU future relationship matter more to UK respondents than to citizens of other states. But there is broad permission from European publics to recast relations.”
It added,
“There might be scepticism about special terms for the UK among EU officials and governments, but our poll suggests that public opinion is more pragmatic.”