Most Britons want closer EU ties as majority say Brexit was a mistake, ECFR poll finds

BRUSSELS, June 23 — Up to two thirds of British voters, across all party ‌lines, believe Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016 has had a negative impact on the country, a poll by ‌the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) showed on Sunday.

The poll by the think tank, conducted from May 7 to 14 among more than 2,000 respondents, showed two thirds thought Brexit drove up the cost of living and had a negative impact on the economy. “A decade on, Brits realise their hopes for a better life outside the EU are going unfulfilled and that Brexit is undermining the ‌UK’s ability to manage the issues voters care about most,” ⁠the ECFR’s head Mark Leonard ⁠said.

Of those polled, 56 per cent thought ⁠leaving the EU was bad ⁠for tackling illegal ⁠migration, for trade and red tape, 57 per cent believed it reduced chances for young people, and 57 per cent believed it ⁠was “wrong” for Britain to leave the EU.

A woman takes pictures next to pro-Brexit placards outside the Houses of Parliament in London October 28, 2019. — Reuters pic

Three quarters now wanted closer ties with the EU, the ECFR said.

The poll also showed Britons chose Europe over the US as a preferred security partner with only 18 per cent viewing the ⁠US as an ally.

Controlling migration was a key focus in the campaign for Brexit, but the poll showed that ⁠56 per cent of Britons thought the UK’s approach post-Brexit has failed and ⁠they ⁠would support the reinstating of freedom of movement with the EU for a closer trading relationship.

The ECFR said that a separate poll ‌conducted across 15 EU countries showed two-thirds support for Britain to return to the EU in the future. — Reuters