A decade after the 2016 referendum, a new poll of 10,000 people suggests 55% of Britons would now vote to rejoin the European Union, while only 32% would stay out. The survey marks a significant shift in public opinion since the original vote, though the exact reasons remain debated.
Food Prices: 2/10
The promise of cheaper food never materialised. While Brexit is not the sole cause of rising grocery costs, economists generally agree that new trade barriers have added costs for importers and retailers. Covid, war, and inflation also played roles, but this promise cannot claim a pass.
The Economy: 4/10
Britain narrowly avoided the immediate post-referendum recession many predicted. However, most major forecasters believe the economy is smaller than it would have been. Bloomberg Economics estimates Brexit costs the country up to £200 billion annually, enough to buy nearly 200 billion £1 scratchcards each year.
Trade: 4/10
Exporting to the EU became more bureaucratic for many businesses, especially smaller ones, with new costs, fees, and paperwork. While new trade deals have been signed globally, they have not fully offset the extra friction with Britain's largest trading partner.
Our NHS: 5/10
The infamous £350 million-a-week claim on the Vote Leave bus promised a windfall for the NHS. Funding has increased since 2016, but not as a simple Brexit dividend. Staffing shortages and medicine supply issues have complicated the picture. The lesson: never trust a bus.
Red Tape: 3/10
Leaving the EU was supposed to cut bureaucracy. Instead, customs paperwork, checks, and regulatory requirements increased for firms trading with Europe. Domestically, the UK has more freedom to write its own rules, but exporting businesses generally face more complications.
Farming: 5/10
Britain gained control over its agricultural policy and subsidies, something many farmers wanted. But labour shortages, changing support schemes, and tougher trading conditions with Europe have left many questioning the trade-off. The answer is not black and white—it's a muddy cow pat colour.
Immigration: 6/10
Free movement ended, a clear Brexit objective. If the promise was greater control over immigration policy, that box is ticked. If the promise was lower immigration, record levels in recent years tell a different story.
Levelling Up: 5/10
Supporters argued Brexit would rebalance the economy and revive left-behind regions. Replacement funding arrived after EU regional grants ended, but the transformation many hoped for has not happened. No one seems to agree what 'level' was the target.
Fishing: 8/10
An industry worth less than 0.1% of GDP symbolised the entire political movement. Britain regained a larger share of fishing rights in its own waters, though the increase was smaller than some campaigners expected. Many in the industry remain dissatisfied, but it is a tangible gain.
Taking Back Control: 10/10
Britain left the EU, Parliament regained full control over domestic law, free movement ended, and trade policy returned to Westminster. The real debate is not whether control was taken back, but whether the UK knew what to do once it had it.
Total score: 52%. A decade on, the verdict is mixed.
