0
An anti-Brexit demonstrator waves a flag during a protest outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, on March 5, 2025. / Photo via Reuters, Yonhap News

As the 10th anniversary of the Brexit referendum approaches, a new opinion poll suggests that the historic decision to leave the European Union (EU) would likely be reversed if a rerun vote were held today.

According to a survey conducted by market research firm Ipsos from May 14 to 20, which polled 1,137 British adults, 52% of respondents stated that the UK should rejoin the EU. Bloomberg News reported that this figure stands in stark contrast to the June 2016 referendum, where a majority of voters backed Brexit.

The poll revealed that nearly half of the respondents support holding a new referendum on Brexit, with opinions evenly split on whether such a vote should take place before or after the next general election. In a hypothetical referendum, only 33% of respondents favored maintaining the current status quo, while approximately 10% remained undecided.

Kieran Pedley, Director of Politics at Ipsos, analyzed the findings, stating, "This survey shows a clear shift in public opinion," and added, "The debate over the UK's relationship with Europe remains very much alive among voters."

While support for rejoining the EU is on the rise, stark divides persist across generations and political affiliations. A vast majority of younger voters support reversing Brexit, whereas half of those aged 55 and older remain opposed to rejoining the bloc.

By political party, supporters of the Labour Party, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party demonstrated a strong inclination toward rejoining. Conversely, among supporters of Reform UK—a party rooted in the UK Independence Party (UKIP), which originally spearheaded Brexit—70% opposed returning to the EU.

A decade after the referendum, immigration remains the most contentious issue dividing British politicians and voters alike. According to a separate Ipsos poll conducted in April, the British public believes the UK and the EU share common interests and should cooperate closely on defense, trade, and climate change. However, views diverged sharply on immigration. Roughly 40% of respondents believed that the UK and the EU have conflicting interests regarding illegal immigration, compared to only 25% who felt their interests were aligned.

Pedley cautioned that an actual referendum could yield a different outcome. "If a real vote were to take place, the dynamics could change," he noted, adding, "The situation would become much more complex once the public is presented with the concrete costs, benefits, and compromises involved in redefining the UK-EU relationship."

                                                                                                            Lee Jung-eun