New Report: Exploring ‘Bregret’

Brexit refuses to go away. Seven years on from the EU referendum–and over three-and-a-half since Brexit finally ‘got done’–the issue continues to generate headlines and spark furious debate, at least amongst elites.

One of the reasons for this is a sense that public opinion is still evolving. It is said that some of those who voted Leave in 2016 are experiencing an ‘itch’, and questioning their choice to leave the European Union. There has been much talk of ‘Bregret’ amongst Leave voters.

Given this, UK in a Changing Europe and Public First have together decided to talk to Leave voters directly, to hear from them what they thought. We wanted to examine this phenomenon further, to explore the complexity that is ‘Bregret’.

In a survey carried out in May and June 2023, and a series of focus groups help between May and September, we posed questions about Brexit: What do Leave voters make of Brexit so far? Why have some Brexiteers changed their mind? And, for those who still think Brexit was the right choice, but are unhappy, how can it be made to work?

This debate is sure to rage on for years, and even decades, to come. Some are adamant Brexit has already failed. Others say it is too early to judge. But the public certainly had their views when we went out and spoke to them. This report details our findings.