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Poll: 57% Call Brexit Mistake, 55% Favor Rejoin EU

6/9/2026

23 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

A YouGov poll finds 57% of Britons say the 2016 Brexit vote was a mistake.
The same poll shows 55% would support the UK rejoining the EU.
Nearly 60% favor a closer UK-EU relationship short of full membership, single market or customs union.
An Ipsos survey of 1,137 adults conducted 14-20 May 2026 reports 52% would back rejoining the EU, 33% prefer staying out, and half support a referendum.

History

Historical Context

Prime Minister Harold Wilson called the 5 June 1975 referendum on Britain’s European Communities membership; Labour split and Conservatives campaigned to stay, and 67% voted ‘Yes’ on a 64% turnout, the first UK-wide public vote on Europe. The result cemented a pro-European trajectory that lasted until the 2016 Brexit referendum, when a narrow majority reversed the earlier consensus.

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Story summary

A YouGov poll finds 57% of Britons say the 2016 Brexit vote was a mistake.
The same poll shows 55% would support the UK rejoining the EU.
Nearly 60% favor a closer UK-EU relationship short of full membership, single market or customs union.
An Ipsos survey of 1,137 adults conducted 14-20 May 2026 reports 52% would back rejoining the EU, 33% prefer staying out, and half support a referendum.

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