Megapoll finds nearly half of Britons want UK to rejoin EU
A large new poll shows almost half of UK voters would support rejoining the European Union, a stance that could boost Labour's vote share, though some cabinet ministers urge caution.
A new large-scale poll by the Messina Group (TMG) has found that nearly half of British voters would support the UK rejoining the European Union after the next election, a position personally backed by Labour figure Andy Burnham. The survey, which polled more than 11,000 people, found that renegotiating Britain's relationship with the EU could lift Labour's vote share by up to seven percentage points if the prime minister offered a fresh referendum campaigning for re-entry.
Among seven possible relationship options tested, full rejoining received the strongest support at 49%, against 28.5% opposed. A close second option — keeping the current relationship while cutting trade barriers — was backed by 48.2%.
Burnham used his first conference speech as Labour leader to announce a review of Britain's future options with Europe, including full rejoining. However, several cabinet ministers whose constituencies voted for Brexit in 2016 have voiced caution, warning that reopening the debate could deepen social divisions and benefit the Reform party.
The poll also found that nearly a third of voters believe an in-out referendum would be needed first, while others felt a general election mandate or a parliamentary decision would suffice. More than two-thirds of respondents said trade with the EU mattered more than with the US or China, and a majority want to remain in the European Convention on Human Rights.
The survey further showed that only 29.7% consider Brexit to have been the right decision, while 52.4% view it as a mistake. Downing Street officials have reportedly been consulting think tanks and pollsters to gauge public support for rejoining, though some within government fear the move could revive the political fortunes of Nigel Farage.
