Public support for UK rejoining the European Union reaches 49 percent

A comprehensive survey conducted by The Messina Group (TMG) between September 12 and 24, 2026, reveals that 49% of British voters now support the United Kingdom's re-accession to the European Union. The poll, which surveyed 11,461 individuals, shows that only 28.5% of respondents oppose rejoining. Furthermore, 52.4% of those questioned believe the original 2016 vote to leave the EU was a mistake, while 29.7% maintain that it was the correct decision.

Regarding the timeline for a potential return, 25.9% of respondents favored immediate action, while 22.9% suggested a transition within three years. Other preferred options included joining a customs union or re-entering the single market. The findings coincide with a shift in official policy, as Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly initiated a review of future relations with the EU. Burnham has confirmed that his government is exploring various scenarios, explicitly including the possibility of full re-accession to the bloc alongside more limited integration models.

The government's current stance represents a significant pivot, as the Labour administration under Burnham reopens discussions on Brexit that were previously considered settled. The administration is now actively weighing these public sentiments against the complex economic and political realities of reversing the withdrawal process.