A recent poll by the highly reputable non-profit think tank More in Common reveals that a majority of Gen Z in the UK disagree with the country's departure from the European Union (EU). The Guardian reported these findings on 23/6. More in Common is a public opinion research and survey organization and a member of the British Polling Council, a key benchmark for polling firms in the UK.

The survey, which involved 440 individuals aged 18-28 across the UK, indicated that 60% would vote for the UK to rejoin the EU if a new opportunity arose, with only 9% opposing. This support intensified among those most likely to vote in a second referendum, where 81% favored remaining in the EU. Overall, 50% of UK Gen Z consider Brexit a failure, 16% view it as a success, and 34% expressed no opinion.

Protesters supporting the UK joining the EU, in London, 20/6. Photo: Reuters

Luke Tryl, executive director of More in Common, explained the generational sentiment: "For many UK Gen Z individuals, the Brexit referendum shaped their political coming-of-age. In focus groups, many in this age group said Brexit was the first political event they clearly remembered, even though they were not old enough to vote at the time." Tryl noted that over the past 10 years, More in Common's polls of UK individuals aged 18-28 have consistently shown that a majority believed Brexit failed, with three out of five wanting a referendum on rejoining the EU. He added, "Few initially thought Brexit had failed. They believed it could have worked well, but politicians ruined it."

The strongest opposition to the UK's departure from the EU is evident among the youngest respondents. Among those aged 18-21, who were children aged 6-9 in 2016, 53% considered Brexit a failure, and only 12% viewed it as a success.

The UK held its referendum on leaving the EU in June 2016, with 52% of Britons supporting Brexit and 48% wanting to remain in the bloc. Last year, the UK and the EU signed a series of defense, security, and food export agreements, marking a "restart" in their cooperation, which had been strained post-Brexit.

By Ngoc Anh (According to Guardian, Reuters)