Gen Z at forefront of effort to reverse EU referendum

New poll shows people overwhelmingly believe things in Britain have deteriorated as a direct consequence of Brexit

- SIMON WALTERS

If another referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU were held today, it would result in Brexit being reversed, according to a new poll. A clear majority of all voters say they would opt to rejoin the EU.

Strikingly, support for overturning the UK’s decision to cut its ties with Brussels among Generation Z – who were too young to take part in the 2016 referendum – is by a two-to-one margin.

The public thinks Brexit has made almost everything worse, from the economy to immigration, cost of living, NHS, wages, exports and Britain’s standing abroad to hopes of keeping Scotland and Northern Ireland in the union. While Brexit has slipped in the league table of public concerns, a second referendum is seen as likely at some point.

The findings of a survey by Redfield & Wilton follow moves by Sir Keir Starmer to boost Britain’s connections with the EU. Despite having been a strong opponent of Brexit, the prime minister has made it clear he has no intention of reviewing the decision based on a 52-48 majority in the referendum eight years ago.

Speaking to reporters in Wales, two days before July’s general election, Sir Kier said: “I’ve been really clear about not rejoining the EU, the single market, or the customs union, or returning to freedom of movement. I’ve been equally clear that I do think we can get a better deal than the botched deal we got under Boris Johnson – on the trading front, on research and development, and on security.”

Sir Keir’s supporters say a second referendum would be divisive and a distraction from his main target of repairing public finances and public services. Other prominent Labour figures have been more outspoken. In an interview with The Independent editor-in-chief Geordie Greig, former prime minister Sir Tony Blair said Brexit had failed and triggered “unprecedented mass immigration”.