Brexit

According to a survey by Ipsos conducted among 1,137 adults in the UK from May 14 to 20, 52% of respondents believe that the country should rejoin the European Union. This figure almost mirrors the results of the referendum a decade ago, when the majority of voters supported Brexit. Nearly half of those surveyed also expressed support for holding a new vote on relations with the EU. Opinions were divided on the timing: some believe the referendum should take place before the next parliamentary elections, while others think it should be held afterward. When asked how they would vote today, only 33% of survey participants stated that they would prefer to maintain the current status of the UK outside the EU. About 10% were unsure how to respond. ## Sentiments Are Changing Kieran Pedley, director of political research at Ipsos, noted that the results indicate a significant shift in public opinion. According to him, the discussion about the future of the UK's relationship with Europe is far from over and continues to occupy an important place in voters' minds. At the same time, British views vary significantly depending on age and political preferences. Young voters largely support the idea of closer ties with the EU and revisiting the consequences of Brexit. Among citizens over 55, the sentiments are opposite: about half are against returning to the European community. ## Party Divide Remains Supporters of a possible return to the EU are primarily concentrated among voters of the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party. Meanwhile, the majority of supporters of the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, still oppose rejoining the EU. According to the survey, seven out of ten supporters of this political force would vote to maintain the current course. A separate Ipsos poll conducted in April showed that Britons are increasingly viewing the interests of the UK and Europe as shared in matters of defense, trade, and combating climate change. However, the issue of migration continues to divide society. About 40% of respondents believe that the interests of London and Brussels diverge on illegal migration, while only a quarter of respondents are confident of the opposite. ## Brexit Remains an Open Question Experts note that the results of such surveys do not guarantee a similar outcome in a real referendum. When it comes to specific conditions for cooperation with the EU and the associated compromises, British opinions become much less clear-cut. Nevertheless, ten years after Brexit, public sentiment in the country has noticeably changed. The idea of returning to the EU no longer seems marginal, and the question of the future of the UK's relationship with Europe remains one of the key topics in British politics.