Support for rejoining EU grows after Burnham opened door to UK’s return
Support for the UK rejoining the European Union has increased, with a new poll finding a clear majority in favour. The results follow Andy Burnham’s call for a closer relationship with the EU and add pressure on Labour to set out how far it wants to go.
Ipsos Mori found 56 per cent would vote to rejoin, up four points since May, while 30 per cent would vote to stay out, down three points. Among likely referendum voters, support was 63 per cent to 34 per cent, with 3 per cent undecided. Support was highest among under-35s at 73 per cent; 54 per cent thought EU membership would benefit the economy and 53 per cent national security, though 39 per cent felt it could weaken Britain’s ability to act in its own interests.
In short
- 56 per cent now back the UK rejoining the EU.
- Support has risen four points since May.
- Most respondents expect benefits for the economy and security.
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The case for
Rejoining could strengthen economic ties, improve cooperation on security and reflect the current majority support reported in the poll. Advocates may argue that closer integration would give the UK more influence in addressing shared challenges, especially as younger voters show particularly strong support.
The case against
Staying outside the EU preserves the UK’s freedom to set its own rules and make decisions without membership obligations. Critics may argue that rejoining could limit the country’s ability to act in its own interests, a concern shared by many respondents, and that cooperation with the EU can be pursued without full membership.
Explained simply
The European Union is a political and economic partnership of European countries. The UK joined in 1973, then left in 2020 after the 2016 referendum, in which a narrow majority voted to leave.
Andy Burnham is the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester. His call for a closer relationship with the EU has revived debate about how far Labour would go in changing the UK’s post-Brexit arrangements; the party has so far ruled out rejoining.
The debate matters because EU ties affect trade, security and the UK’s ability to make decisions independently. Views differ on the balance between closer cooperation and national control.
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