The EU's door is 'always open' to the UK, according to a recent survey that reveals a surprising shift in public sentiment. Ten years after the Brexit referendum, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) poll found that two-thirds of EU citizens would support Britain rejoining the bloc. This finding is particularly intriguing given the UK's own polling, which shows that Brexit has had a negative impact on various key issues, including the cost of living, the economy, and illegal immigration. What makes this even more interesting is the support for closer ties among voters of far-right and EU-critical parties, suggesting a broader shift in political sentiment. This shift is further emphasized by the statements of European leaders, such as France's President Macron and Spain's Prime Minister Sánchez, who have expressed openness to the UK's return. Finland's President Stubb has even explicitly named the UK as a candidate for membership, stating that the country's voice is missed in Europe. The survey's author, Mark Leonard, highlights the 'very broad permissive consensus for going far beyond the government's current reset', indicating a potential political opportunity for the UK government. The report also identifies three main voter camps in the UK: optimists, realists, and loners, each with distinct perspectives on European alignment and national sovereignty. Perhaps most notably, the survey found that British voters now favor Europe over the US as a preferred security partner, with a majority expressing a desire for closer defensive relations with Europe. This shift in sentiment has significant implications for the UK's relationship with both the EU and the US, and it remains to be seen how the government will respond to this changing public opinion.
