Potential re-accession of the United Kingdom to the European Union

Last updated

The United Kingdom in orange; the European Union (27 member states) in blue UK location in the EU 2016.svg
The United Kingdom in orange; the European Union (27 member states) in blue

Following a 2016 referendum, the United Kingdom exited from the European Union at the end of January 2020. Since leaving the EU, numerous polling organisations have conducted surveys to gauge public opinion on rejoining the organisation. The trend of the poll data shows that, over time, support for Brexit has waned, while public opinion in the UK has gradually moved in favour of rejoining the EU (either totally, or partially, such as joining the European single market). [1]

History

A referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union took place in 2016, following the European Union Referendum Act being approved by parliament the previous year. [2] [3] Most political parties, including Labour and the Liberal Democrats, supported remaining in the European Union while the governing Conservative Party remained neutral, with the prime minister, David Cameron, supporting the UK remaining in the European Union. A majority of voters supported the UK leaving the European Union, with 51.9% voting in favour of leaving and 48.1% in favour of remaining. Cameron resigned, and was succeeded by Theresa May and, later, Boris Johnson, both of whom negotiated the terms of the UK's departure. The UK's departure from the European Union led to two early general elections in 2017 and 2019, and dominated British politics until 31 January 2020, when the country's membership of the European Union ended.

In September 2023, thousands of people participated in a march in London campaigning for the United Kingdom to rejoin the EU. [4] Also in September 2023, France and Germany proposed a restructuring of the membership of the EU to allow the UK to rejoin as an associate member, rather than a full member. [5] Associate membership would include membership of the European single market but not the EU customs union, in exchange for participation in the European Court of Justice and making contributions to the EU budget. [6] The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, expressed her support for the UK eventually rejoining the EU. [7] In September 2023 Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party and the now-Prime Minister of the UK, ruled out the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU under a Starmer-led Labour government. [8]

Process

Countries that could join the European Union
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Current members
Candidate countries
Applicant / potential candidate countries
Membership possible
Membership not possible European Union future possible members 2.0.svg
Countries that could join the European Union
  Current members
  Candidate countries
  Applicant / potential candidate countries
  Membership possible
  Membership not possible

Potential enlargement of the European Union is governed by Article 49 of the Maastricht Treaty. If the UK applied to rejoin the EU, it would need to apply and have its application terms supported unanimously by the EU member states. [9] In January 2020, the political scientist Anthony Salamone wrote that member state support would seek "significant, stable and long-lasting majority public opinion in favour of rejoining", suggesting sustained 60% support would be a plausible minimum. [9] New negotiated terms may also require the UK's participation in the Eurozone and Schengen Area, as well as offering fewer concessions than the UK previously received as a member. [9] Any concessions sought when joining would need unanimous support from member states and a majority in the European Parliament. [10]

Political positions

Some UK political parties have policy proposals for the United Kingdom, or its member countries, to rejoin the European Union in the future, while others have ruled out supporting it.

Political partyPosition
Alba Party EFTA and EEA [a]
Conservative Party Stay out [11]
Green Party of England and Wales Rejoin [12]
Labour Party Stay out [13]
Liberal Democrats Rejoin [b]
Plaid Cymru Rejoin [15] [c]
Reform UK Stay out
Scottish Greens Rejoin [a]
Scottish National Party (SNP)Rejoin [a]
Workers Party Stay out [17]
  1. 1 2 3 As an independent Scotland
  2. The party stated in 2024 that this is a "longer term objective" [14]
  3. As an independent Wales. The party also wishes for the UK to rejoin the single market and customs union immediately. [16]

An All-Party Parliamentary Group on Europe was set up in October 2024, with the aim of promoting closer ties with the EU. Its secretariat services are provided by the European Movement UK. [18]

Opinion polling

Graphical summary

The chart below shows opinion polls conducted about whether the United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union. The trend lines are local regressions (LOESS).

The blue line is rejoin and the red is stay out.

Opinion polling on the whether the United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union.svg

National polls

Polling of British voters on whether the United Kingdom should rejoin the European Union. Polling includes only those that explicitly ask how the responder would vote in a hypothetical referendum on the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union, rather than repeating the remain/leave question of the 2016 referendum.

2025

Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinStay outNeitherLead
28–29 Jan 2025 BMG Research The i1,51445%37%18%8%
20–21 Jan 2025 YouGov N/A2,22551%31%19%20%
12–13 Jan 2025 YouGov Eurotrack2,28348%33%20%15%
30 Dec3 Jan 2025 Deltapoll Mail on Sunday1,53248%36%16%12%

2024

Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinStay outNeitherLead
19–23 Dec 2024 Deltapoll The Mirror1,55245%38%16%7%
6–8 Dec 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,11945%32%23%13%
26–27 Nov 2024 BMG Research The i1,53144%40%17%4%
14–18 Nov 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,74948%35%17%13%
30–31 Oct 2024 BMG Research The i1,51144%38%19%6%
18–20 Oct 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,09847%31%22%16%
4–7 Oct 2024 Deltapoll N/A2,10847%38%15%9%
2–3 Oct 2024 BMG Research The i1,56243%39%17%4%
10–11 Sep 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,21248%30%22%18%
29 Aug 2024 BMG Research The i1,56046%37%17%9%
19 Aug 2024 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00051%40%8%11%
12–13 Aug 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,18946%33%20%13%
7–8 Aug 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27843%32%25%11%
5–7 Aug 2024 BMG Research The i1,52344%37%19%7%
25–26 Jul 2024 Omnisis N/A2,01239%33%28%6%
23–24 Jul 2024 YouGov N/A2,03248%33%19%15%
18–19 Jul 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,07449%32%18%17%
11–12 Jul 2024 Omnisis N/A2,00540%35%25%5%
2–3 Jul 2024 Omnisis N/A1,32547%35%18%12%
29 Jun3 Jul 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,73749%38%14%11%
30 Jun2 Jul 2024 BMG Research The i1,85446%37%18%9%
27–29 Jun 2024 Deltapoll The Mail on Sunday1,64547%39%13%8%
27–28 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,21047%34%19%13%
24–26 Jun 2024 Deltapoll The National2,07746%37%16%9%
24–26 Jun 2024 BMG Research The i1,52247%38%14%9%
21–24 Jun 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,56850%35%16%15%
20–21 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27050%31%18%19%
18–19 Jun 2024 BMG Research The i1,62747%38%15%9%
14–17 Jun 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,38345%41%13%4%
13–14 Jun 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,29248%33%19%15%
12–13 Jun 2024 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00055%35%10%20%
12–13 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,29749%33%18%16%
11–12 Jun 2024 BMG Research The i1,54647%39%15%8%
6–8 Jun 2024 Deltapoll Mail on Sunday2,01050%35%15%15%
6–7 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,19850%31%19%19%
4–5 Jun 2024 BMG Research The i1,53445%38%17%7%
31 May3 Jun 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,07751%34%15%17%
30 May3 Jun 2024 Verian N/A1,40556%28%17%28%
30–31 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,32847%34%19%13%
28–29 May 2024 BMG Research The i1,50044%41%15%3%
23–25 May 2024 Deltapoll Mail on Sunday1,51751%35%13%16%
23–24 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24248%31%21%17%
17–20 May 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,96849%36%16%13%
16–17 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,06449%31%20%18%
10–13 May 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,03145%36%19%9%
9–10 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,18348%32%20%16%
3–7 May 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,99348%38%15%10%
2–5 May 2024 JL Partners The Rest is Politics2,00147%36%16%11%
2–3 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,17746%33%21%13%
26–29 Apr 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,57747%36%17%11%
25–26 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,26548%31%21%17%
22–23 Apr 2024 BMG Research The i1,50047%39%14%8%
19–22 Apr 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,52549%35%16%14%
18–19 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,26648%33%19%15%
17–18 Apr 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,14749%32%20%17%
16–17 Apr 2024 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00055%38%8%17%
12–15 Apr 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,94451%35%14%16%
11–12 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27150%31%19%19%
4–7 Apr 2024 JL Partners The Rest is Politics2,01148%36%15%12%
4–5 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,28049%32%19%17%
2–3 Apr 2024 BMG Research The i1,53046%40%14%6%
27–28 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,28548%32%20%16%
22–25 Mar 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,58947%37%16%10%
21–22 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27048%32%19%16%
15–18 Mar 2024 Deltapoll N/A2,07249%36%16%13%
14–15 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27049%34%17%15%
12–13 Mar 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,04749%30%21%19%
8–11 Mar 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,50247%40%14%7%
7–8 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,21646%34%20%12%
6–7 Mar 2024 BMG Research The i1,54145%41%14%4%
1–4 Mar 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,50046%39%15%7%
29 Feb1 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24050%33%17%17%
23–26 Feb 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,49049%36%15%13%
22–23 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24350%31%19%19%
16–19 Feb 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,51945%38%16%7%
15–16 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24647%33%20%14%
15–16 Feb 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,18647%32%21%15%
13–14 Feb 2024 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00055%36%8%19%
9–12 Feb 2024 Deltapoll N/A1,97746%39%15%7%
8–9 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,17150%31%19%19%
2–5 Feb 2024 Deltapoll N/A2,00447%37%15%10%
1–2 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,28352%31%18%21%
30–31 Jan 2024 BMG Research The i1,50546%41%13%5%
26–29 Jan 2024 Deltapoll N/A2,06447%38%14%9%
25–26 Jan 2024 Omnisis N/A1,26450%33%18%17%
19–22 Jan 2024 Deltapoll N/A2,17647%37%16%10%
18–19 Jan 2024 Omnisis N/A1,16350%31%19%19%
12–15 Jan 2024 Deltapoll N/A2,13646%38%15%8%
11–12 Jan 2024 Omnisis N/A1,16150%33%17%17%
11–12 Jan 2024 YouGov Eurotrack2,05847%31%22%16%
4–5 Jan 2024 Omnisis N/A1,22648%32%20%16%
2–3 Jan 2024 YouGov N/A2,01651%36%13%15%

2023

Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinStay outNeitherLead
29–31 Dec 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,19446%31%23%15%
28–30 Dec 2023 Omnisis N/A1,18149%33%18%16%
22–29 Dec 2023 Deltapoll Daily Mirror1,64247%39%14%8%
20–22 Dec 2023 Omnisis N/A1,17748%34%18%14%
14–15 Dec 2023 Omnisis N/A1,06546%34%20%12%
10–11 Dec 2023 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00052%40%8%12%
8–11 Dec 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,00544%41%15%3%
7–8 Dec 2023 Omnisis N/A1,20146%34%20%12%
1–4 Dec 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,00045%40%15%5%
30 Nov1 Dec 2023 Omnisis N/A1,12346%31%23%15%
28–30 Nov 2023 BMG Research The i1,50242%43%15%1%
24–27 Nov 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,99648%36%15%12%
23–24 Nov 2023 We Think N/A1,11950%33%17%17%
16–20 Nov 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,56546%37%17%9%
16–17 Nov 2023 Omnisis N/A1,15047%34%19%13%
15–16 Nov 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,00746%32%22%14%
10–13 Nov 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,84048%37%15%11%
9–10 Nov 2023 Omnisis N/A1,14749%33%18%16%
3–6 Nov 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,02148%38%14%10%
2–3 Nov 2023 Omnisis N/A1,15549%32%19%17%
27–30 Oct 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,54646%36%18%10%
26–27 Oct 2023 Omnisis N/A1,18945%35%20%10%
21 Oct 2023 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00055%38%8%17%
19–20 Oct 2023 Omnisis N/A1,18548%33%19%15%
19–20 Oct 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,03649%39%11%10%
13–16 Oct 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,56846%37%17%9%
12–13 Oct 2023 Omnisis N/A1,19852%30%18%22%
11–12 Oct 2023 BMG Research The i1,59144%41%16%3%
11–12 Oct 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,06747%34%19%13%
5–6 Oct 2023 Omnisis N/A1,26146%33%21%13%
5–6 Oct 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,51746%39%14%7%
4–5 Oct 2023 BMG Research The i1,50244%40%16%4%
29 Sep2 Oct 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,51649%38%13%11%
28–29 Sep 2023 Omnisis N/A1,28548%36%17%12%
22–25 Sep 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,50748%36%16%12%
21–22 Sep 2023 Omnisis N/A1,31348%31%22%17%
14–15 Sep 2023 Omnisis N/A1,26850%31%18%19%
11–15 Sep 2023 Deltapoll N/A2,03949%38%12%11%
7–8 Sep 2023 Omnisis N/A1,26847%32%20%15%
24–25 Aug 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,06148%35%17%13%
22–23 Aug 2023 BMG Research The i1,56247%39%14%8%
22–23 Aug 2023 Omnisis N/A1,35648%31%21%17%
19–20 Aug 2023 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00057%35%8%22%
17–21 Aug 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,52046%34%21%12%
17–18 Aug 2023 Omnisis N/A1,31548%31%21%17%
10–11 Aug 2023 Omnisis N/A1,34550%30%20%20%
10–11 Aug 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,06649%32%18%17%
9–11 Aug 2023 Deltapoll Mail on Sunday1,50448%34%17%14%
8–9 Aug 2023 YouGov N/A2,10150%30%20%20%
4–7 Aug 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,02350%35%15%15%
3–4 Aug 2023 Omnisis N/A1,42048%31%20%17%
27–28 Jul 2023 Omnisis N/A1,33950%31%19%19%
20–21 Jul 2023 Omnisis N/A1,38048%32%20%16%
19–20 Jul 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,06949%33%18%16%
14–17 Jul 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,00048%38%15%10%
13–14 Jul 2023 YouGov N/A2,15151%31%18%20%
13–14 Jul 2023 Omnisis N/A1,31248%34%18%14%
6–7 Jul 2023 Omnisis N/A1,31249%32%19%17%
29–30 Jun 2023 Omnisis N/A1,35147%32%22%15%
27–29 Jun 2023 BMG Research The i1,50045%40%15%5%
25–26 Jun 2023 BMG Research The i1,52446%39%15%7%
22–23 Jun 2023 Omnisis N/A1,33650%31%20%19%
17–19 Jun 2023 YouGov Eurotrack1,96145%32%23%13%
16–19 Jun 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,55447%37%15%10%
15–16 Jun 2023 Omnisis N/A1,30647%31%21%16%
8–9 Jun 2023 Omnisis N/A1,29647%32%20%15%
1–2 Jun 2023 Omnisis N/A1,35149%31%20%18%
30–31 May 2023 BMG Research The i1,52949%36%14%13%
26–27 May 2023 Omnisis N/A1,36147%33%20%14%
19–22 May 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,57548%38%14%10%
17–18 May 2023 Omnisis N/A1,36147%33%20%14%
15–16 May 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,03746%33%22%13%
12–15 May 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,51146%39%15%7%
12–13 May 2023 Omnisis N/A1,35547%33%9%14%
5–9 May 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,55048%38%14%10%
4–5 May 2023 Omnisis N/A1,21050%30%20%20%
3–4 May 2023 BMG Research The i1,53445%38%16%7%
28 Apr2 May 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,56146%37%18%9%
26–27 Apr 2023 Omnisis N/A1,19348%31%20%17%
24–26 Apr 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,57648%37%16%11%
19–20 Apr 2023 Omnisis N/A1,31849%31%21%18%
18 Apr 2023 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00056%37%7%19%
13–17 Apr 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,56748%38%14%10%
12–13 Apr 2023 Omnisis N/A1,20446%35%19%11%
11–12 Apr 2023 YouGov Eurotrack1,98547%33%20%14%
5–6 Apr 2023 Omnisis N/A1,20446%34%20%12%
31 Mar3 Apr 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,58748%38%14%10%
28–29 Mar 2023 Omnisis N/A1,34449%32%19%17%
24–27 Mar 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,34442%41%17%1%
22–23 Mar 2023 Omnisis N/A1,38248%33%19%15%
17–20 Mar 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,05447%39%14%8%
15–16 Mar 2023 Omnisis N/A1,12648%32%20%16%
15–16 Mar 2023 BMG Research The i1,54645%40%14%5%
10–13 Mar 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,56148%38%13%10%
9–10 Mar 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,00445%33%23%12%
8–9 Mar 2023 Omnisis N/A1,32352%30%18%22%
2–6 Mar 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,06351%37%12%14%
1–2 Mar 2023 Omnisis N/A1,28447%32%22%15%
24–27 Feb 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,06048%38%13%10%
22–23 Feb 2023 Omnisis N/A1,24843%35%21%8%
21–23 Feb 2023 BMG Research The i1,50045%41%14%4%
20 Feb 2023 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00056%36%8%20%
17–20 Feb 2023 Deltapoll N/A1,07950%38%12%12%
15–16 Feb 2023 Omnisis N/A1,20449%33%18%16%
11–15 Feb 2023 YouGov Eurotrack2,06248%32%20%16%
9–10 Feb 2023 Omnisis N/A1,23445%32%23%13%
2–3 Feb 2023 Omnisis N/A1,25549%30%21%19%
26–27 Jan 2023 Omnisis N/A1,25749%29%22%20%
24–26 Jan 2023 BMG Research The i1,50243%41%17%2%
19–20 Jan 2023 Omnisis N/A1,21747%31%22%16%
11–12 Jan 2023 Omnisis N/A1,24744%31%25%13%
5–6 Jan 2023 Omnisis N/A1,28549%30%21%19%

2022

Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinStay outNeitherLead
21–22 Dec 2022 Omnisis N/A1,24345%32%23%13%
15–16 Dec 2022 Omnisis N/A1,21645%32%23%13%
14–15 Dec 2022 YouGov The Times1,69047%34%18%13%
8–9 Dec 2022 Omnisis N/A1,29444%34%22%10%
7–8 Dec 2022 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00052%41%7%11%
1–2 Dec 2022 Omnisis N/A1,17245%33%22%12%
29 Nov1 Dec 2022 BMG Research The i1,57145%41%14%4%
23–24 Nov 2022 Omnisis N/A1,17249%37%14%12%
17–18 Nov 2022 Omnisis N/A1,15953%34%14%19%
14–15 Nov 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,68948%33%18%15%
10–11 Nov 2022 Omnisis N/A1,18148%37%16%11%
3–4 Nov 2022 Omnisis N/A1,35248%35%17%13%
27–28 Oct 2022 Omnisis N/A1,56851%35%14%16%
24–26 Oct 2022 BMG Research The i1,35344%40%14%4%
21–22 Oct 2022 Omnisis N/A1,35350%32%18%18%
20 Oct 2022 Omnisis N/A1,38249%37%13%12%
19 Oct 2022 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe1,50052%39%8%13%
13–14 Oct 2022 Omnisis N/A1,40351%35%14%16%
6–7 Oct 2022 Omnisis N/A1,32847%33%20%14%
29–30 Sep 2022 Omnisis N/A1,32042%36%22%6%
23–26 Sep 2022 Omnisis N/A1,30749%31%19%18%
20–21 Sep 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,70446%36%19%10%
19 Aug 2022 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe1,50049%42%9%7%
4–5 Aug 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,66945%37%19%8%
10–11 Jul 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,68445%38%17%7%
19–20 Jun 2022 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00048%43%9%5%
9–10 Jun 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,73945%36%20%9%
16–17 May 2022 YouGov N/A1,66941%38%21%3%
19 Apr 2022 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00045%47%8%2%
13–14 Apr 2022 Deltapoll Mail on Sunday1,55047%40%14%7%
9–11 Apr 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,91543%38%19%5%
16–17 Mar 2022 YouGov N/A1,76143%35%22%8%
20 Feb 2022 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe2,00041%50%9%9%
10–11 Feb 2022 YouGov Eurotrack1,72044%36%19%8%
17–18 Jan 2022 YouGov N/A1,69542%39%19%3%

2021

Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinStay outNeitherLead
23 Dec 2021 Opinium The Observer1,90441%42%17%1%
13 Dec 2021 Kantar N/A1,07436%33%30%3%
10–12 Dec 2021 Savanta ComRes The Independent2,09644%43%10%1%
2–3 Dec 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,70345%37%18%8%
22 Nov 2021 Kantar N/A1,11934%32%34%2%
16–17 Nov 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,71244%39%16%5%
9 Nov 2021 Redfield & Wilton Strategies UK in a Changing Europe1,50044%50%6%6%
5–7 Nov 2021 ComRes N/A1,68748%41%12%7%
12–13 Oct 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,65941%37%22%4%
15–16 Sep 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,63541%39%21%2%
12–13 Aug 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,76741%41%18%Tie
20–21 Jul 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,76739%41%20%2%
22–23 Jun 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,71139%41%20%2%
18–20 Jun 2021 ComRes N/A2,19142%42%16%Tie
24–25 May 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,62239%44%17%5%
22–26 Apr 2021 Kantar N/A1,11531%37%32%6%
21–22 Apr 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,73038%43%19%5%
16–19 Mar 2021 BMG Research The Independent1,49843%49%8%6%
15–16 Mar 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,67240%41%18%1%
18–22 Feb 2021 Kantar N/A1,11433%33%35%Tie
16–17 Feb 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,69739%41%20%2%
21–25 Jan 2021 Kantar N/A1,10034%37%29%3%
19–25 Jan 2021 YouGov The Times3,31242%40%18%2%
18–19 Jan 2021 YouGov Eurotrack1,69742%40%18%2%

2020

Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinStay outNeitherLead
10–14 Dec 2020 Kantar N/A1,13732%34%34%2%
5–9 Nov 2020 Kantar N/A1,14137%33%30%4%
17–21 Sep 2020 Kantar N/A1,12531%38%31%7%
10–11 Aug 2020 YouGov N/A1,59543%39%18%4%
6–10 Aug 2020 Kantar N/A1,16137%33%30%4%
2–26 Jul 2020 NatCen The UK in a Changing Europe2,41347%39%14%8%
9–13 Jul 2020 Kantar N/A1,13133%39%28%6%
21–22 May 2020 YouGov Handelsblatt1,66942%41%18%1%
7–9 Apr 2020 BMG Research The Independent1,37143%47%10%4%
24–26 Mar 2020 Number Cruncher Politics Bloomberg1,01038%47%14%9%
3–6 Mar 2020 BMG Research The Independent1,33740%48%12%8%
4–7 Feb 2020 BMG Research The Independent1,50342%46%12%4%
4–5 Feb 2020 YouGov Handelsblatt1,57842%40%20%2%

Specialist opinion polling

Conditioning Accession on Euro Adoption

During the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union, it did not seek to adopt the Euro and attained an opt-out as a part of the Maastricht Treaty negotiations.

WeThink, the public polling arm of Omnisis, began including a supplementary question as a part of its Brexit polling assessing how Euro adoption would influence voting intentions on a hypothetical referendum on re-joining the European Union.

Question: A condition of rejoining might be the adoption of the euro as currency. If the UK did have to adopt the euro how do you think you would vote if there was a referendum on EU membership tomorrow?
Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
Re-Join the EUStay outNeitherLead
7–8 Aug 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27834%41%26%7%
25–26 Jul 2024 Omnisis N/A2,01231%41%28%10%
11–12 Jul 2024 Omnisis N/A2,00534%39%27%5%
2–3 Jul 2024 Omnisis N/A1,32537%43%20%6%
27–28 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,21039%42%19%3%
20–21 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27039%40%20%1%
12–13 Jun 2024 Omnisis N/A1,29737%43%20%6%
6–7 Jun 2024 WeThink N/A1,19839%41%20%2%
30–31 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,32838%43%20%5%
23–24 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24238%39%24%1%
16–17 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,06439%39%22%Tie
9–10 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,18339%41%20%2%
2–3 May 2024 Omnisis N/A1,17735%43%21%8%
25–26 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,26538%38%23%Tie
18–19 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,26638%42%20%4%
11–12 Apr 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27137%42%20%5%
4–5 Apr 2024 WeThink N/A1,28037%40%23%3%
21–22 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27038%41%21%3%
14–15 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,27035%45%19%10%
7–8 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,21638%40%21%2%
29 Feb1 Mar 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24039%42%20%3%
22–23 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24339%42%20%3%
15–16 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,24636%41%23%5%
8–9 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,17137%42%21%5%
1–2 Feb 2024 Omnisis N/A1,28339%42%19%3%
25–26 Jan 2024 Omnisis N/A1,26439%42%19%3%
18–19 Jan 2024 Omnisis N/A1,16339%40%21%1%

Prior to January 2024, [19] Opinium, as published by WeThink, asked the following two questions;

Would the requirement to adopt the Euro as currency change your decision?Would the requirement to adopt the Euro as currency change your decision to rejoin the EU if you would vote to rejoin? referendum on EU membership tomorrow?

The available responses were;

I would still want the UK to rejoin the EU if adopting the Euro was a requirement

I would not want the UK to rejoin the EU if adopting the Euro was a requirement

I would only want the UK to rejoin the EU if we were able to keep Sterling as our currency

Young voters

Starting in April 2023, Savanta – commissioned by Peston, ITV's flagship political discussion programme – conducts polls of young people aged 18 to 25 on a range of issues, including their views on the UK rejoining the European Union. [20]

Question: If there was a referendum now on whether the UK should or should not join the EU tomorrow with the question, 'Should the United Kingdom become a member of the European Union or not become a member of the European Union?', how would you vote?
Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
Join the EUStay outNeitherLead
22–26 Sep 2023 Savanta Peston1,02166%15%18%51%
28 Apr3 May 2023 Savanta Peston1,02177%13%11%64%

Change of relationship

From November 2024, Opinium starting polling regarding a change of relationship with the EU.

Question: Thinking about Brexit, which of the following comes closest to your view?
Dates
conducted
PollsterClientSample
size
RejoinCloserThe sameMore distantDon't know
22–24 Jan 2025 Opinium The Observer2,05033%23%17%14%13%
18–20 Dec 2024 Opinium The Observer2,01032%24%17%14%13%
27–29 Nov 2024 Opinium The Observer2,05032%23%18%14%13%

The available responses were;

We should rejoin the EU

We should remain outside the EU but negotiate a closer relationship with them than we have now

We should remain outside the EU and keep the same relationship with the EU as we have now

We should remain outside the EU and negotiate a more distant relationship with them than we have now

Holding a referendum

In January 2023, Savanta published a poll of 2,065 British adults, which included a question regarding support for a referendum on the UK rejoining the EU. A combined total of 65% were in favour of such a referendum now or at some point in the future and 24% were opposed to such a referendum. [21]

Question: When do you think, if at all, there should next be a referendum on whether or not the UK should re-join or stay out of the European Union?

Now22%
In the next five years24%
In the next 6–10 years11%
In the next 11–20 years4%
In more than 20 years time4%
Never24%
Don't know11%

In the European Union

Fifth anniversary polling

In 2021, for the fifth anniversary of the UK's EU membership referendum, Euronews commissioned an opinion poll conducted by Redfield & Wilton Strategies of attitudes to the European Union and Brexit in the EU's four largest countries. Redfield & Wilton polled 1,500 people in each member-state between the 6th and 7th of June 2021. The poll included the following question about how responders would feel about the UK re-joining the EU: [22]

Question: Would you support or oppose the UK re-joining the EU?
Member states SupportOpposeNeitherDon't knowLead
Flag of France.svg  France 36%18%34%12%18%
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 40%19%30%11%21%
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 43%14%34%8%29%
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 46%16%31%7%30%

Polling on a Franco-German four-tier EU Structure

Following reports in 2023 of a Franco-German proposal for a four-tiered EU structure, YouGov Eurotrack conducted polling in several EU Member States. This polling included attitudes towards further EU enlargement. People from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden were asked;

Question: “Do you think each of the following countries should or should not be allowed to join the European Union at this time?”
Member
states
Sample
size
UK should be allowed
to join
UK should not be
allowed to join
Don't knowLead
Flag of France.svg  France 1,02646%30%24%16%
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2,45760%22%17%38%
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1,00868%13%19%55%
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 1,00870%10%20%60%
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1,05649%30%21%19%
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 1,02248%29%27%19%

Fieldwork was conducted between the 6th and 26th of October 2023. [23]

See also

References

  1. Stone, Jon (22 June 2023). "Brexit: This is how Britain could actually rejoin the EU". The Independent. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  2. "EU referendum: MPs support plan for say on Europe". BBC News. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  3. "The Public Whip — European Union Referendum Bill — Third Reading - 7 Sep 2015 at 24:28". www.publicwhip.org.uk. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  4. Davis, Barney (23 September 2023). "Brexit, berets and interpretive dance - how thousands marched to demand UK rejoin the EU". Independent.
  5. Barnes, Joe (19 September 2023). "Britain touted as future 'associate member' of EU". The Telegraph. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  6. "Brexit: UK could rejoin EU as an 'associate member'". The Independent. 20 September 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  7. Bounds, Andy; Parker, George (29 November 2023). "Rishi Sunak dismisses talk of Britain rejoining the EU". Financial Times. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  8. Sykes, Selena (23 September 2023). "Pro-EU supporters march for Britain to rejoin the European Union". France24. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 "Membership 2.0: what the UK rejoining the EU would involve". LSE BREXIT. 23 January 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  10. "Article 49: rejoining the EU". Institute for Government. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  11. "The Conservative and Unionist Party Manifesto 2024" (PDF).
  12. Mitchell, Archie (8 September 2024). "Green Party backs rejoining EU and vows to fight for closer ties with Europe after Brexit". The Independent. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  13. "Britain reconnected". The Labour Party. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  14. Whannel, Kate (10 June 2024). "Re-joining EU is our longer term objective - Lib Dems". BBC News. Retrieved 18 January 2025.
  15. Hayhurst, Claire (2 July 2024). "Plaid Cymru's General Election manifesto at a glance". The Standard. Retrieved 21 January 2025. Plaid Cymru believes Wales should re-join the European Union at an "appropriate point"
  16. https://www.partyof.wales/eu_reset
  17. "George Galloway: What is the Workers Party of Britain?". BBC News. 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
  18. "House of Commons - Register Of All-Party Parliamentary Groups as at 20 November 2024: Europe". publications.parliament.uk. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  19. Ltd, Omnisis. "VI-69 Voter Intention". www.omnisis.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2024.
  20. "Youth Political Tracker – ITV Peston / ITV News – 3 May 2023 - Savanta". 3 May 2023.
  21. "Brexit Poll – Independent – 1 January 2023 - Savanta". savanta.com. 1 January 2023. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  22. Tidey, Alice (23 June 2021). "Brexit 5 years on: 'We would have you back,' says Europe, in new poll". Euronews. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
  23. "Western Europeans support Franco-German four-tier Europe structure | YouGov". yougov.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2023.