Poll results reveal that seven years post-Brexit, a significant portion of the population remains discontent with the project’s outcomes. Findings from the YouGov survey indicate that most Britons now regret Brexit’s execution and express a desire to re-enter the EU. Presently, seven in ten British citizens deem the decision to leave the EU misguided, advocating for stronger ties with the Union instead. This sentiment is notably pronounced among the younger demographic. UK youth and EU relations have recently undergone many developments. This article focuses on the post-Brexit state of UK youth and their relationship with the EU. Additionally, it examines the prevailing attitudes among the British populace seven years after the initial Brexit poll.
David Cameron: The originator of the idea of leaving the EU
Former Prime Minister and current Foreign Secretary David Cameron floated the concept of Britain’s departure from the EU in 2013 to resist imposing certain burdensome EU laws within the country. Despite not personally advocating for Brexit, he employed this strategy as leverage while negotiating with EU leaders. The unexpected outcome of the 2016 referendum saw 51.9% of British citizens voting in favour of leaving the EU, while 48.1% voted to remain in the Union. This unforeseen decision by the British populace set the UK on the path toward exiting the Union.
57% of British people support joining the European single market
Seven years after the referendum, the British regret their vote and want to rejoin the EU. A YouGov poll shows that 57% of Britons now support joining the single market, even if it means resuming the free movement of migrants across borders. Controlling immigration was one of the main reasons the British voted to leave the EU in 2016. But after a few years, it has become clear that Brexit has caused much damage to the British in various fields, so requests for re-entering the European Union have increased.
The negative effects of Brexit on the UK economy
A survey of Britons shows that 72% believe Brexit has hurt the economy. The survey comes as UK inflation remains at record highs and economic growth remains stagnant. On the other hand, economists warn about the effects of continued Brexit on trade and investment. According to one study, Brexit will cost every employee £470 a year by 2030. Not long ago, Nigel Farage, one of the key elements of the campaign to leave the UK from the EU, admitted that the Brexit project has failed due to the country’s deep economic problems.
Unprecedented record-breaking immigration to Britain
The recent YouGov poll was taken shortly after releasing the latest immigration data and a record-breaking net migration to the UK. According to the report of the Office for National Statistics (ONS), immigration from non-member countries in the EU has increased by 120,000 people during the year ending June 2023, which has brought the total number of immigrants to 968,000 people throughout the year. It should be noted that at the end of June 2023, non-EU immigrants made up 82% of all immigrants.
Brexit trouble for exporters
According to research by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), more than half (56%) of companies doing business with the EU said they faced problems complying with the new export rules. Meanwhile, 45 per cent reported problems in the field of service trade. According to this report, 77% of the companies that trade under this agreement said it did not help increase their sales or development.
The failure of Brexit from the point of view of the British
According to a British think tank, a Changing Europe poll, only one in ten Britons see Brexit as a success. As many believe, leaving the EU has hurt the British economy. Even among those who voted to leave, only 18 per cent said they were satisfied with the outcome. According to the poll, the credibility of politicians in this country is now seriously shaken, regardless of opinions about Brexit. Three-quarters of all respondents said they had lost trust in British politicians recently.
The desire of young people for the EU
UK youth and EU relations have greatly changed after the many losses that Brexit brought to the country. The Tony Blair Institute, set up by the former prime minister, points out that young people now of voting age are more pro-European than older voters. The institute has asked the government to commit to EU product standards and food safety rules voluntarily. This could be the basis for negotiating closer trade relations with the international community.
Young people in favour of British re-membership in the EU
UK youth and EU relations have changed due to the damage of Brexit in various fields, and now, most young people want to return to the Union. A Policy Institute at King’s College London survey shows that young age groups have a positive attitude towards the EU. 58% of 18-24-year-olds said they wanted a closer relationship with the EU, almost twice as many as those who wanted to keep the status quo or move away from the EU. The interesting thing is that younger voters are more inclined towards the EU. The tendency of young people towards the EU shows that they are afraid of their future and want their country to have normal relations with the international community.
Can we hold a referendum again?
London and Brussels became closer during Rishi Sunak’s tenure as Prime Minister, but government officials have officially rejected holding another referendum to return to the EU. However, Britain’s main political parties have yet to make plans to hold a new referendum, at least officially, as the country continues to define its post-Brexit identity. The Labor Party, led by Keir Starmer, needs more time to reopen the debate on membership of the EU or the Single Market because it is concerned about the consequences of raising this issue in the current political climate and facing its consequences.
