Britain shifts on Brexit majority now back EU membership poll finds

Less than a third of Britons would opt to leave the European Union if the Brexit referendum were held again today, according to a new survey highlighted by The Sunday Times. The exclusive poll conducted by the think tank More in Common reveals a remarkable reversal in public sentiment, with 29 per cent of respondents now backing Leave—down sharply from 52 per cent at the time of the 2016 vote. Meanwhile, the proportion favouring Remain has risen to 52 per cent.

The shifting tide comes as the Labour government presses for stronger ties with the EU. Recent months have seen an agreement with Brussels introducing e-gate access for British passport holders, streamlining pet travel documentation, and removing considerable red tape from food and drink imports and exports. Notably, support for remaining in the EU has grown by four points within the last year.

The poll, which surveyed 2113 adults between 22 and 24 July, found support for Rejoin was particularly prevalent among former Leave voters. Almost half of all respondents—49 per cent—now support a referendum on rejoining the EU within the next five years, compared to 37 per cent who are opposed to a fresh vote.

Political divides persist, with those who previously voted Conservative or for the Reform party most likely to back a new Brexit. Among Conservative voters, 52 per cent would still choose to leave; among Reform supporters, this figure jumps to 68 per cent.

The poll also gauged sentiment towards Britain’s continued membership of the European Convention on Human Rights. Here, 58 per cent expressed support for remaining in the convention, an eight-point climb since June. Rejection of the ECHR finds most favour among Reform voters, those particularly concerned with asylum, migration, and crime.

When asked about attitudes towards global leaders, only Ukraine’s President Zelensky commanded significant net approval among Britons at 39 per cent. French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen polled positively, while leaders such as Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump were heavily in negative territory.

British opinion was also tested on geopolitical threats. Forty-three per cent expect China to attempt an invasion of Taiwan within five years, yet just 21 per cent would back providing military aid, favouring diplomatic or humanitarian support instead. Domestic scepticism about Chinese investment remains robust, particularly regarding UK infrastructure and public services, although opinion was more evenly split on Chinese involvement in British retail.

As tides of public opinion continue to shift, governments and policymakers may now face pressure to articulate a more constructive relationship with Europe, while addressing anxieties over security and global partnerships.