Britons Show Increasing "Bregret" Over Brexit, New Poll Reveals

As the UK approaches the ninth anniversary of the Brexit referendum, a recent YouGov poll reveals a significant shift in public sentiment, with most Britons expressing a desire to rejoin the European Union. A notable 56% of respondents indicated that they believe it was a mistake for the UK to leave the EU, while 61% view Brexit as a failure. The poll highlights a strong sentiment of “Bregret,” particularly directed at leaders like Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party, with over 80% of those who think Brexit has failed blaming them, and over two-thirds attributing blame to Nigel Farage.

The economic implications of Brexit continue to pose challenges for the UK, with an independent financial watchdog warning that trade could decline by 15% as a result of leaving the bloc. This situation contradicts the claims made during the Leave campaign, which suggested that Brexit would stimulate the economy. Additionally, Labour ministers have recently committed to reducing trade barriers with the EU, as new statistics indicate that Brexit has resulted in a substantial annual cost of £37 billion for UK businesses. Furthermore, an overwhelming increase in bureaucracy has emerged, necessitating two billion extra pieces of paperwork since the referendum.

As public opinion shifts, almost two-thirds of the population now supports a closer relationship with the EU, although support for rejoining is lower among Conservative voters and supporters of Reform UK. Sir Nick Harvey from European Movement UK emphasized the growing recognition of the negative impacts of Brexit on the British economy, particularly affecting small and medium-sized enterprises. Matt Smith of YouGov noted that while there is substantial support for rejoining the EU, many citizens believe the government's focus should be on other pressing issues, with 44% considering rejoining as a lesser priority compared to other national challenges. The survey was conducted with 2,239 adults in Britain between June 16 and 17.