10 years after "Brexit" vote, majority of Britons say leaving European Union was a mistake

June 23, 2026 / 11:23 AM EDT / CBS News

10 years after "Brexit" vote, majority of Britons say leaving European Union was a mistake

TL;DR

  • A majority of Britons now believe leaving the EU was a mistake, according to a YouGov survey.
  • Critics cite economic damage, reduced productivity, and loss of freedom of movement as negative consequences of Brexit.
  • Two-thirds of those who voted for Brexit still support the decision, attributing negative outcomes to poor handling by governments.
  • Key Brexit promises, such as controlling migration, have not fully materialized as intended.
  • Demographic shifts, with younger generations more pro-EU, are impacting public opinion, with a majority of Gen Z favoring a new referendum.
  • Despite changing public sentiment, political will to hold another referendum is currently limited.