Report Finds Only 24% of Britons Support Being Outside the EU

A new report reveals that only a quarter of Britons believe the country should remain outside the European Union, marking the lowest level of support for Brexit since the 2016 referendum. This shift in public opinion comes as Britain prepares for its first national election since formally leaving the EU in 2020, set for July 4.

The British Social Attitudes survey, conducted by the National Center for Social Research, shows a significant decline in support for Brexit. Only 24% of respondents think Britain should be outside the EU, down from 36% in 2019 and 41% in 2016. The report highlights growing dissatisfaction with the outcomes of Brexit, particularly among those who initially voted to leave.

Economic and Immigration Concerns

The survey indicates that perceptions of Brexit’s impact on the economy and immigration have become more negative. Around 40% of Leave voters now believe the economy is worse off due to Brexit, a sharp increase from 18% in 2019. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of Leave voters think immigration has increased since leaving the EU, compared to just 5% who anticipated this outcome before the previous election.

Changing Expectations

Polling expert John Curtice, a co-author of the report, notes, “In short, it appears that for many of those who voted to leave the EU, Brexit has not turned out as they anticipated.” The survey, conducted between September 12 and October 31 last year, included 5,578 respondents.

Trust in Government at Record Lows

The report also reveals a significant decline in public trust and confidence in the government. A record 45% of respondents said they “almost never” trust British governments to prioritize national needs over their own political interests.

Brexit’s Limited Role in Upcoming Election

Despite these findings, Brexit has played a minimal role in the current election campaign. The upcoming election on July 4 will be the first since Britain’s official departure from the EU, but the issue has not been a major focus among candidates or political parties.

As Britain heads to the polls, the evolving public sentiment on Brexit and government trust will likely influence the political landscape, even if Brexit itself remains on the periphery of campaign discussions.