Ten years after the 2016 referendum, Brexit polling in 2026 shows a clear majority of UK voters now say leaving the European Union was the wrong decision. The YouGov tracker, which has measured Brexit sentiment since the referendum, shows the “wrong” majority reached 54% in early 2026 — its widest margin since systematic tracking began.
How Brexit Opinion Has Shifted Since 2016
The 2016 referendum produced a 52% Leave, 48% Remain result. By 2019, polls were already showing a reversal, with “wrong decision” pulling ahead. The shift has been steady and consistent across all major pollsters. By June 2026, the 54% wrong majority represents a net swing of approximately 16 percentage points from the original referendum result.
Three factors drive the shift. First, demographic change: older voters supported Leave at much higher rates, and as older cohorts die and younger cohorts reach voting age, the electorate moves mathematically toward Remain. Second, economic perceptions: polling consistently shows voters attribute trade friction, inflation, and supply chain problems partly to Brexit. Third, the collapse of the argument that Brexit would cut immigration: net migration reached a record 728,000 per year under the post-Brexit Conservative government, undermining the central Leave campaigning message.
Brexit Voter Demographics 2026
The demographic breakdown of Brexit sentiment in 2026 shows sharp divisions by age and education. Among over-65s, approximately 52% still say Brexit was the right decision — the only age group with a Leave majority. Among 18-34 year olds, 72% say it was the wrong decision. Among degree-educated voters, 65% say wrong; among those without degrees, the split is 48% wrong vs 42% right.
| Group | Wrong | Right | DK |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18–34 | 72% | 20% | 8% |
| 35–49 | 58% | 32% | 10% |
| 50–64 | 48% | 42% | 10% |
| 65+ | 40% | 52% | 8% |
| Degree-educated | 65% | 27% | 8% |
| Non-degree | 48% | 42% | 10% |
Would Voters Rejoin the EU?
Polls asking specifically about EU membership rather than the Brexit decision show similar but slightly more cautious results. YouGov polls in 2026 show approximately 48–52% saying they would vote to rejoin the EU if a referendum were held tomorrow, versus 32–38% who would vote to stay out. The difference between these figures and the “wrong decision” numbers reflects some voters who think Brexit was a mistake but are not enthusiastic about the disruption of rejoining.
Crucially, only 11% of voters say EU membership should be a top political priority. Despite the “wrong decision” majority, the appetite for a second referendum is low: polls show 38% would want one, 52% would not. This reflects a political fatalism about Brexit — most voters think it was wrong but do not believe reversal is achievable or worth the fight.
Brexit Voters and Reform UK in 2026
Among 2016 Leave voters who are still alive and eligible to vote in 2026, Reform UK polls at approximately 38–42%. The Conservatives hold 28% of Leave voters, Labour 14%, and Lib Dems 6%. Among Remain voters, Labour is at 28%, Lib Dems 22%, Greens 18%, Reform UK 6%, and Conservatives 16%.
The Brexit realignment has fundamentally restructured UK party politics. The traditional left-right axis has been supplemented by a Leave-Remain dimension that maps closely onto education level, age, and geography. Reform UK has positioned itself as the party of Leave-identity voters dissatisfied with the Conservatives, while the Greens and Lib Dems have absorbed much of the Remain vote that Labour has lost through its equivocal Brexit positioning and disappointing governance record.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Brexit polls show in 2026?
54% of UK voters say Brexit was the wrong decision, 36% say it was right, according to the 2026 average of YouGov’s Brexit tracker and comparable polls from Opinium and More in Common.
Would the UK vote to rejoin the EU?
Polls suggest 48–52% would vote to rejoin if asked in a referendum tomorrow. However, only 11% say EU membership should be a top political priority, and 52% do not want a second referendum.
Which voters still support Brexit in 2026?
Support for Brexit (i.e., saying it was the right decision) is highest among over-65s (52%), non-degree voters in coastal and post-industrial England, and current Reform UK voters. Among 18–34s and degree-educated voters, fewer than a quarter still say Brexit was right.
How do Brexit voters vote in 2026?
Among 2016 Leave voters, Reform UK now leads at 38–42%, followed by Conservatives at 28%. Among 2016 Remain voters, Labour (28%), Lib Dems (22%), and Greens (18%) share the vote.