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'Bregret' on the rise in UK 16 months on from Brexit: Poll

Saturday, 28 October 2017 2:57 PM [ Last Update: Saturday, 28 October 2017 5:50 PM ]

Britons rally in central London against the terms of Brexit on September 13, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

Sixteen months after a majority of voters decided the only way for the United Kingdom is to leave the European Union, a new poll says the number of those who regret the vote has risen to its highest level.

The polling company YouGov conducted a new survey at the end of September in which 47 percent of respondents said they thought Britain was wrong to vote leave the EU in the Brexit referendum back in June 2016.

According the survey, 42 percent said they were right to vote for the country to leave the union.

Unhappy with the prospect of Brexit, 18 percent wanted a second referendum and a further 14 percent said the government need to abandon it completely.

This is while; 28 percent said that the government should go ahead with Brexit, according to YouGov new figures.

The poll results said some 40 percent (four in ten) wanted to continue with Brexit on current negotiating terms, while 12 percent said the government should seek a “softer” Brexit—– meaning a “go ahead” majority of 52 percent.

The poll found that the main reason that there are still so many more people wanting Brexit to continue rather than halted is because some Remain voters, though still thinking that leaving is the wrong decision, believe that the result of the referendum should be respected.

UK Prime minister Theresa May speaks to the press at the end of a two day EU leaders summit in Brussels, on October 20, 2017. (Photo by AFP)

The average of YouGov’s five most recent surveys found that 43 percent believed they were right to vote to leave the EU and 45 percent said they were wrong.

Another poll released earlier this month indicated that Britons trust in Prime Minister Theresa May’s handling of Brexit talks has hit an all-time low.

The survey, conducted by polling firm ORB International and seen by The Telegraph, found that almost two thirds of people disapprove of her government’s negotiations with the European Union to leave the bloc.

May, who had campaigned for Remain during last year's vote, has triggered two-year Brexit negotiations with the Brussels in March, saying she intends to end Britain’s 44-year relationship in pursuit of a new place for the UK in the global order.

Under pressure, the prime minister has so far failed to achieve a breakthrough on the issue.

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