By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - In the aftermath of the 2024 general election, Brexit, once the defining issue in British politics, has all but vanished from the public consciousness, according to a new YouGov poll.
Despite a significant portion of voters supporting the idea of rejoining the EU, the topic barely featured in the recent election campaign.
In stark contrast to the 2019 election, where Brexit dominated the agenda, the issue is now viewed as a priority by just 7% of the population, down from 63% five years ago.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly ruled out any possibility of taking the UK back into the EU, stating that such a move will not happen "in his lifetime."
This position aligns with public sentiment, as a majority of voters do not believe Labour has a mandate to reverse Brexit.
The survey shows that 51% of the public reject any idea that Starmer’s election victory grants him the authority to pursue re-entry into the EU.
This includes a significant portion of Remain voters (48%), who, like Leave voters (67%), do not see Labour's win as a green light to rejoin the bloc.
Even among Labour's own 2024 voters, opinions mirror those of the broader Remain electorate, with 47% denying the existence of a mandate to re-enter the EU.
The numbers are similarly bleak when considering a potential re-entry into the Single Market or Customs Union. Only 24-25% of the public believe Labour has a mandate to rejoin these economic structures, while 38-40% disagree.
Interestingly, however, the public is also resistant to further loosening ties with the EU.
A plurality of 44% reject the idea of Labour having a mandate to distance the UK further from Europe, compared to just 19% who support such a move.