As Britain reels from one economic crisis to another and searches for yet another PM, the public increasingly see that the deeper reason for our crisis lies in the type of Brexit we have pursued. British voters recognise that Brexit is worsening Britain’s economic crisis and they want politicians to stop avoiding the subject.

Whilst the political divides of the referendum are still strong, with 77% of Remainers and 72% of Leavers still identifying with those labels, a shared sense of urgency about falling living standards and a declining economy has begun to close that divide. 

The overwhelming majority of the British public (87%) recognise that the economy has suffered since we left the European Union. Almost everyone agrees that Covid and the war in Ukraine have helped cause the cost-of-living crisis, but now a substantial proportion of Leave voters – 38% – are also ready to blame Brexit.

There is majority public support for a closer relationship with the EU. This view is shared by one in three Conservative voters and Leavers, as well as Remainers. People are unhappy with the current arrangement with net support at -22%. There is also very little support for scrapping the Northern Ireland Protocol.

While rejoining the EU does not get majority endorsement, the only option going forward that achieves net positive support is rejoining the single market at +7%. This option is supported across all regions including the North, with highest support in London, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Despite the widespread assumption that people are fatigued with Brexit, the YouGov survey shows voters, by a two-to-one margin, want to hear politicians talking about it again.  Barely a quarter say they don’t want to hear about Brexit at all.

However, there is dissatisfaction about how well voters are being represented by their politicians, especially Labour ones. Only 43% of Labour supporters say they are well represented by their party’s Brexit position, compared to 60% of Conservatives, and 55% of Liberal Democrats. As Conservative MPs and party members decide on their next leader, the might pause to consider the shifting sands that are occurring in the country on this issue and who is best equipped to respond to them and address the underlying reasons for our economic problems. 

As the current political drama unfolds, with all leaders and parties needing to focus on re-establishing economic credibility with the markets and the cost-of-living crisis, this report argues that there is a political opportunity for politicians to talk constructively and practically about a better relationship with the EU to help address the deep challenges facing this country and its people in the months ahead. A commitment to pursuing this agenda could possibly be the single most important step in stabilising the pound and easing the debt and cost of living crisis

This is not the time to avoid talking about an issue that is affecting so many people’s lives. This is a time to be honest with the public about Brexit because, for the first time in six years, there is an opportunity to build a consensus that may help heal political scars as well as solve economic problems.