EU Citizens Support Britain's Return to the Bloc
A new survey reveals that two-thirds of EU citizens back UK rejoining the bloc. Meanwhile, three-quarters of British voters want closer ties.
Two-thirds of EU Citizens Support Britain's Return to the Bloc
A comprehensive survey conducted a decade after the Brexit referendum shows that UK rejoining the bloc has significant support among European populations. According to research by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), a prominent think tank, approximately two-thirds of respondents across 15 EU countries view British membership as either very good, good, or neutral for the European Union.
This data on UK rejoining the bloc represents a substantial shift in European opinion, suggesting that the initial shock and divisions created by the 2016 referendum have evolved into a more measured perspective on Britain's potential return to the European family.
British Public Opinion Shows Strong Support for Closer EU Ties
The findings extend beyond continental Europe, revealing significant sentiment within Britain itself. Three-quarters of UK voters express a desire for closer ties with the European Union, marking a notable change in public discourse since the Brexit vote. Most British respondents acknowledge that leaving the bloc has been detrimental to the issues they prioritize, from healthcare and education to economic stability.
Particularly striking is the discovery that majority British opinion now accepts free movement of people—a principle long considered politically toxic in UK debates. This willingness to embrace policies previously rejected during the Brexit campaign indicates a fundamental reassessment among voters regarding the benefits of European cooperation.
The Decade-Long Journey from Brexit to Reconsideration
Ten years have passed since the original Brexit referendum fundamentally altered Britain's relationship with Europe. The ECFR survey captures sentiment at this significant milestone, documenting how public attitudes have crystallized in response to the actual implementation of Brexit policies.
The percentage supporting UK rejoining the bloc—standing at 66% among EU citizens—demonstrates considerable openness to reconciliation and renewed membership. This level of support suggests that while Brexit created friction and uncertainty, the desire for stable, cooperative relationships transcends the divisions of the past decade.
Levels of Integration and European Cooperation
The survey encompasses attitudes toward various levels of European integration, examining whether populations would welcome Britain back into frameworks involving free movement, regulatory alignment, and economic cooperation. The acceptance of these mechanisms by British and EU voters alike underscores recognition that modern challenges—whether economic, environmental, or security-related—benefit from coordinated European responses.
Free movement, previously positioned as incompatible with British sovereignty during referendum campaigns, now appears less divisive. This shift reflects broader understanding that interconnected economies require fluid movement of workers and professionals to function effectively.
What the Data Reveals About Future Prospects
The ECFR findings present a complex picture of public sentiment regarding UK rejoining the bloc. While politicians and policymakers grapple with legal, political, and diplomatic obstacles to rejoining, grassroots European and British opinion appears receptive to the possibility.
The 66% figure for UK rejoining the bloc across 15 European nations suggests that support extends beyond any single country, representing a genuine cross-European consensus. This widespread backing from diverse populations—each with distinct relationships to the European project—adds weight to the survey results.
Implications for Britain's European Future
These survey results carry significant implications for how Britain's political class approaches European relations going forward. With substantial majorities favoring closer ties and accepting previous points of contention, the policy landscape has shifted considerably from the polarized environment of 2016.
The desire for UK rejoining the bloc, expressed by both European citizens and British voters, creates a foundation for exploring renewed partnership models. Whether such preferences translate into concrete policy changes remains uncertain, but the democratic mandate appears clearer than at any point since the referendum.
The ECFR research demonstrates that public opinion, when measured comprehensively across multiple nations a full decade after the Brexit vote, reveals surprising consensus on the benefits of British reintegration into European structures.