Brexit has completely failed for the UK, say the clear majority of Britons – poll
The majority of Britons believe Brexit has utterly failed, according to a recent poll, signaling widespread dissatisfaction with the outcomes.
A significant majority of the British public now believes that Brexit has had negative impacts on the UK economy, contributed to rising prices in stores, and hindered government efforts to manage immigration, according to a poll conducted by Opinium to mark the third anniversary of the UK's departure from the EU single market and customs union.
The survey, encompassing over 2,000 UK voters, also reveals remarkably low levels of belief that Brexit has been advantageous either personally or nationally. Only one in 10 respondents think leaving the EU has improved their financial situation, while 35% believe it has been detrimental. Likewise, just 9% believe Brexit has been beneficial for the National Health Service (NHS), compared to 47% who perceive a negative impact.
In a concerning trend for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a supporter of Brexit who asserted its economic benefits, only 7% of respondents believe it has helped control prices in UK shops, while 63% think Brexit has contributed to inflation and the ongoing cost of living challenges.
The poll suggests that more than seven years after the referendum, the British public views Brexit as a failure, with only 22% of voters considering it beneficial for the UK overall. The promises made by the Vote Leave campaign, led by Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, including economic growth and increased trade, are not widely perceived to have materialized.
James Crouch, head of policy and public affairs at Opinium, notes that discontent with how the government has handled Brexit continues, with negative perceptions extending to areas previously seen as potential benefits.
While Brexit is likely to be a secondary issue in the next election compared to the economy and the NHS, the negative perceptions could still influence votes. However, it's unlikely to play as direct a role as it did in previous elections, with voters' attention now focused on domestic issues like rising bills, strained public services, and sluggish economic growth. The political appeal of "Get Brexit Done" has not delivered the anticipated changes, and sentiments may particularly shift among voters who initially supported Brexit but have since experienced challenges like rising costs and declining public services. The final consequence of Brexit may involve the unravelling of the Brexit electoral coalition.