In the wake of the 2024 general election, Brexit, once a dominant issue in British politics, has largely faded from public focus, according to a recent YouGov poll. Despite a notable number of voters favoring the idea of rejoining the European Union, the topic was scarcely mentioned during the recent election campaign.
This marks a significant shift from the 2019 election when Brexit was at the forefront of the political agenda. Currently, only 7% of the population considers Brexit a priority, a stark decrease from the 63% who viewed it as crucial five years ago.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unequivocally ruled out the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU, stating that it won't happen "in his lifetime." This stance reflects public sentiment, as a majority of voters do not believe that Labour has a mandate to reverse Brexit.
The poll indicates that 51% of the public rejects the notion that Starmer's election victory provides him with the authority to pursue re-entry into the EU. This view is shared by a significant portion of both Remain (48%) and Leave voters (67%).
Even among Labour's 2024 voters, opinions are similar, with 47% not seeing the election result as a mandate to rejoin the EU. Additionally, support for re-entering the Single Market or Customs Union is low, with only 24-25% of the public believing Labour has a mandate to do so, while 38-40% disagree.
Interestingly, the public is also opposed to further distancing the UK from the EU. A plurality of 44% rejects the idea of Labour having a mandate to weaken ties with Europe, compared to 19% who support such a move.
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