Brexit Legacy Polling
Post-Brexit opinion polling — was it worth it? Regret trends, trade attitudes, and the ongoing political legacy of the 2016 referendum.
Was Brexit Worth It? — 2026 Polling
When asked whether Brexit was worth it, the most recent polls consistently show a plurality of British adults say it was not worth it. YouGov polling from early 2026 puts the “not worth it” figure at around 45%, compared to 38% who say it was worth it and 17% who are unsure.
This represents a notable shift from the immediate post-referendum period, when opinion was more evenly split. The cost of living crisis, trade friction with the EU, and NHS pressures have all contributed to growing Brexit regret among voters who originally backed Leave.
Crucially, Brexit regret is not simply a Remain voter phenomenon. Polling by Ipsos and YouGov both show that around one-in-five people who voted Leave in 2016 now say Brexit has not delivered what they hoped for.
Key polling findings — Brexit legacy 2026
- 45% say Brexit was not worth it — up from ~40% in 2022
- 38% say Brexit was worth it — down from ~44% in 2022
- ~20% of 2016 Leave voters now express regret
- Voters under 40 are the most strongly “not worth it”
- Conservative and Reform voters remain most supportive of Brexit
Brexit Regret Trend
The “worth it” share has steadily eroded. YouGov’s long-running tracker shows:
| Period | Worth it % | Not worth it % |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 (result) | 52% | 48% |
| 2019 | 46% | 43% |
| 2021 | 40% | 47% |
| 2023 | 39% | 46% |
| 2025 | 38% | 45% |
| 2026 | 38% | 45% |
Source: YouGov tracker. 2016 figure represents Leave/Remain vote share, not “worth it” question.
Party Breakdown
Based on 2026 YouGov / Ipsos polling among current party supporters.
Brexit & Trade: Voter Views
Separate from the “worth it” question, polling on specific Brexit outcomes reveals more granular opinion. Voters are more negative about the trade and economic impacts of Brexit than they are about issues like immigration control, where opinion is more evenly split between those who feel Brexit has delivered and those who do not.
Do most British voters regret Brexit?
Not quite a majority, but more voters say Brexit was “not worth it” (45%) than say it was (38%) as of 2026. This is a significant shift from 2016–2019. The remaining 17% are undecided. See current VI polling →
Which party voters are most pro-Brexit?
Reform UK voters are the most strongly pro-Brexit, with 82% saying it was worth it. Conservative voters are also broadly pro-Brexit (71%). By contrast, only 16% of Labour voters and 12% of Green voters say Brexit was worth it. Reform UK polling →
Could the UK rejoin the EU?
Polling shows only around 29% actively support rejoining the EU. While more voters are negative about Brexit outcomes, there is no strong majority for rejoining — particularly given the political complexity involved. No major party is currently campaigning for EU membership.