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More than half of Britons support rejoining the EU, new research has found, as enthusiasm for full membership proves more popular among voters than only joining the single market.
A new study from Best for Britain has found that little appetite exists for a “halfway house” approach to the EU, such as a customs union or single market entry.
Polling by YouGov found that 61 per cent of people support the government’s current approach in “resetting” relations with the EU to build closer ties.
But beyond this, 53 per cent of people say they are in favour of the UK becoming an EU member again, with just 32 per cent opposed to the move.
By comparison, 49 per cent support a customs union and 46 per cent support the single market.
Naomi Smith, chief executive of a pro-EU campaign group Best for Britain, said it’s “plain to see little appetite exists for the halfway houses of a customs union or single market entry”.
She said: “Lengthy negotiations accompany all of these options, but it’s only membership that provides both the economic boon and the political safety net to fend off the concerns around sovereignty swiftly exploited by the faux-patriots on the right.”
Tom Brufatto, lead author of the report and executive director of policy at Best for Britain, said the findings indicate that the government revisiting its approach to Europe is “essential”.
He said: “Looking beyond the current EU negotiations, pushing for UK membership is the most sustainable policy option available – not only would it create the most growth, it would also galvanise support from progressives across the UK.”
Support for rejoining the EU is also highest among Labour (83 per cent), Liberal Democrat (84 per cent) and Green Party (82 per cent) supporters.
Support is lower among right-wing voters, with 39 per cent of Conservative supporters and 18 per cent Reform UK backing the policy position.
Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour Party and vice-president of the European Commission, said it is “now more obvious than ever” that the UK must shore up relations with the EU while Donald Trump is “playing war-games with all our lives”.
He said: “With an erratic US President playing war-games with all our lives, as he launches inflation-spiking conflict across the globe, it is now more obvious than ever that our ‘special relationship’ has to be with our neighbours in our continent where the UK can have the power to share decisions and exert proper influence.”
The prime minister pledged to reset Britain’s relationship with Brussels when he took office, promising to rebuild ties with the EU that had been damaged by the previous Conservative government.
Last week, Sir Keir Starmer warned that the need to reverse parts of Brexit has been proven by the crisis caused by Donald Trump’s war on Iran.
He underlined that the economic crisis unfolding because of the war has made the case for the UK to become economically tied to the EU again.
“We cannot return to the status quo, a status quo that manifestly failed working people, who saw their living standards flatline and their public services decimated. So this time, Britain’s response must and will be different to reflect the changing world that we live in. That starts with our economic security,” he told parliament.
“It means a closer economic relationship with our European allies, because Brexit did deep damage to the economy and the opportunities we now have to strengthen our security and cut the cost of living.”
