New poll shows Tory voters believe Brexit has failed
People who intend to vote Conservative in the next UK general election believe Brexit has failed and damaged the UK economy.
This is according to polling by YouGov for Best for Britain, which examined public sentiment around the Conservative Party’s flagship policy to leave the European Union.
In her conference speech on Wednesday, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said that her party was “brave enough to take Britain out of the European Union, honouring the biggest democratic mandate in our history”.
However, polls show that the result of this bravery has widely been considered a failure by the party’s own voter base. The data shows that of those intending to vote for the Conservative Party, 46% consider Brexit a failure for the UK, more than double the 22% who believe it has been a success.
Best for Britain said these findings represent a significant shift in opinion over Brexit within the Conservative Party, with Brexit-supporting voters switching their backing away from the party to Reform UK.
Even among Reform UK supporters, however, more people believe Brexit was a failure than a success. One third (33%) of those surveyed reportedly view it as a failure, and 28% of those intending to vote Reform said they viewed Brexit as a success.
“Kemi Badenoch says the Conservative Party were ‘brave enough’ to take Britain out of the EU. That ‘bravery’ has been rewarded with their lowest ever poll ratings,” said Best for Britain campaigns director Cal Roscow.
“Our polling shows the public firmly believe Brexit has been a failure for the UK, including more than twice as many Tory supporters than those who think it was a success. Badenoch should be honest about the damage leaving the EU has done, and begin the hard work of repair.”
Of those Conservative supporters who think Brexit is a failure, half cited its economic impact. According to data cited by Best for Britain, Brexit resulted in the UK’s GDP declining by 4% and slashed £40 billion from the Treasury’s annual budget.
68% of current Conservative supporters who think Brexit has failed believe Boris Johnson was responsible for the UK leaving the EU. 62% blame David Cameron and 58% blame Reform UK Nigel Farage.
“As our polling makes crystal clear, the British public – including the Conservatives’ own voters – recognise that Brexit has been a calamity for our economy, businesses and the cost of living,” said Best for Britain chief executive Naomi Smith.
“To regain economic credibility, Badenoch’s party must face up to reality and work constructively to repair the damage done to the UK.”
