If another referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU was held today it would result in Brexit being reversed, according to a new poll.
A clear majority of all voters say they would opt to rejoin the EU.
Strikingly, support for overturning the UK’s decision to cut its ties with Brussels among Generation Z – who were too young to take part in the 2016 referendum – is by a two-to-one margin.
The public thinks Brexit has made almost everything worse, from the economy to immigration, cost of living, NHS, wages, exports and Britain’s standing abroad to hopes of keeping Scotland and Northern Ireland in the union.
While Brexit has slipped in the league table of public concerns, a second referendum is seen as likely at some point.
The findings of a survey by Redfield & Wilton follow moves by Sir Keir Starmer to boost Britain’s connections with the EU.
Despite having been a strong opponent of Brexit, the prime minister has made it clear he has no intention of reviewing the decision based on a 52-48 majority in the referendum eight years ago.
Speaking to reporters in Wales, two days before July’s general election, Sir Kier said: “I’ve been really clear about not rejoining the EU, the single market, or the customs union, or returning to freedom of movement.
“I’ve been equally clear that I do think we can get a better deal than the botched deal we got under Boris Johnson – on the trading front, on research and development, and on security.”
Sir Keir’s supporters say a second referendum would be divisive and a distraction from his main target of repairing public finances and public services.
Other prominent Labour figures have been more outspoken.
In an interview with The Independent editor-in-chief Geordie Greig, former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Brexit had failed and triggered “unprecedented mass immigration”.
The Redfield & Wilton survey gives fresh ammunition to those who say Brexit has not been a success.
A total of 56 per cent say they would vote to rejoin the EU if another referendum were to be staged today.
This includes nearly one in four (23 per cent) of those who voted Leave in 2016.
A total of 44 per cent say they would vote to stay out. This includes 17 per cent who voted Remain eight years ago.
In fact, the number wishing to rejoin has been even higher in the past. It has fallen by five per cent since June, before the election took place.
Among 18- to 24-year-olds, which includes Gen Z, a total of 61 per cent would vote to rejoin. Only 28 per cent would vote to stay out.
There is similar backing for re-entering the EU among 25- to 44-year-olds. Support for staying out of the EU is most prominent among the over-55s.
