New polling data suggests a significant majority of voters who backed Labour, the Liberal Democrats, and the Green Party at the last general election believe a future prime minister should open negotiations for the UK to rejoin the European Union.
Strong Support for Closer EU Ties Among Opposition Voters
The survey, conducted by YouGov for the Times, indicates that around 70% of Labour, Lib Dem, and Green voters support the idea of a future leader initiating talks on EU membership. The poll also uncovered notable internal divisions within the Labour Party regarding trading arrangements with Europe.
This comes after the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, used an interview with the Observer to voice his personal support for the UK joining a customs union with the EU—a policy that the Labour leader, Sir Keir Starmer, has explicitly ruled out. The polling reveals that Streeting's position resonates with the party's base.
Labour Voters and the Customs Union Divide
According to the detailed findings, 80% of those who voted Labour in the last election say a future leader should open negotiations on joining a customs union with the EU. This places a clear majority of the party's supporters at odds with the current leadership's official stance on the matter.
The research also found that even among Conservative voters, 25% of those questioned believed a new leader should start negotiations on rejoining the EU bloc. The poll's question about a "future leader" may have been interpreted differently by respondents; some may have been considering a scenario after the next election, while others might have been thinking further ahead.
Political Implications and Future Scenarios
The data highlights a persistent appetite for closer European integration among a large segment of the British electorate, particularly those who did not vote for the governing Conservative Party. It underscores a potential long-term pressure point for Sir Keir Starmer, who has sought to move the Labour Party away from the Brexit debates that dominated the last decade.
While the current Labour leadership has firmly closed the door on rejoining the EU single market, customs union, or the EU itself, this poll suggests the issue is far from settled for their voters. The findings indicate that the question of the UK's future relationship with Europe will likely remain a live and divisive topic in British politics for years to come.
