The UK's departure from the EU may have been a decade in the making, but a resounding majority of its former partners would now welcome it back into the fold. A landmark survey by the European Council on Foreign Relations has found that two-thirds of EU citizens – a staggering 66% across 15 member states – believe UK membership to be either good, very good, or at least neutral. This seismic shift in public opinion marks a significant departure from the pre-Brexit era, when pro-EU sentiment was largely confined to the Continent's liberal corners.
The survey reveals an average of 59% support for closer ties with the UK among EU voters, outstripping those favouring a stronger relationship (54%) or maintaining the status quo (46%). Support levels vary across member states, with some countries proving more receptive than others – the Netherlands and Denmark lead the pack at 75%, while Bulgaria lags behind at just 56%. Even far-right and Eurosceptic voters in Germany's AfD and France's National Rally appear to have softened their stance, with 58% backing closer relations.
This EU-wide goodwill towards the UK is mirrored by several high-profile leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron has famously declared that the door remains "always open" for British re-entry, while Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has reaffirmed his country's commitment to supporting a UK return. Finland's President Alexander Stubb has gone further still, explicitly naming Britain as a potential candidate, highlighting the need for a British voice in European affairs. Most strikingly, the European Green party extended an official invitation to the UK to rejoin just last May.
In stark contrast, domestic perceptions of Brexit remain overwhelmingly negative – with 66% of UK voters citing its impact on living costs, 65% pointing to economic woes, and 56% lamenting a perceived surge in youth unemployment. Strikingly, even Leave supporters seem to have lost faith in the benefits of Brexit, with 58% now believing it has exacerbated the problem of illegal immigration.
When asked about the primary advantages of leaving the EU, an astonishing 75% of UK respondents either professed ignorance or rejected any tangible benefits. This near-unanimous assessment has crystallised a widespread desire for closer ties with Brussels – with 63% of UK voters stating they would accept freedom of movement in exchange for enhanced trading relationships, and 57% of Leave supporters willing to do the same.
Mark Leonard, director of the ECFR, believes that this polling represents a fundamental shift in public opinion since 2016. "This is a European opportunity for the UK government," he said, pointing to the broad consensus among EU citizens and British voters alike on moving beyond current policies. The question now remains: will the UK seize this chance, or continue down its current path?