Public Backs Closer EU Relationship But Still Not Behind Rejoin Research

A decade on from the Brexit referendum, the British public backs a closer relationship with the EU but is still not fully behind rejoining the bloc, new research suggests.

A study by Ipsos, King’s College London and UK in a Changing Europe found much of the public was open to rapprochement with the EU, with almost half backing a closer relationship and 60% wanting more co-operation on defence.

But attitudes towards the EU remain “complex”, said Ipsos research director Keiran Pedley.

He said: “On face value there is openness to greater alignment and rule-taking to facilitate a stronger trading relationship but arguments about sovereignty – especially when it comes to immigration – remain persuasive.”

While 53% of the public said they would support a return to freedom of movement in exchange for access to the EU single market, framing the question in terms of sovereignty found people prioritised control of immigration over relations with the bloc.

Some 52% said they preferred total border control and a more limited relationship with the EU, against 38% saying the opposite thing.

Published: 12/06/2026 by Radio NewsHub