Most Brexit supporters now want closer EU ties: Study

Most people who voted in the 2016 Brexit referendum for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union now want access to its single market and the freedom-of-movement principle, according to a study by the European Council on Foreign Relations, or ECFR.

The think tank said in a report released on Wednesday that many people in EU member nations also want much closer ties.

After surveying more than 9,000 people in the UK and the EU's five most populous countries — France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Spain — the study concluded there is a strong demand for closer ties on both sides.

"There is a remarkable consensus on both sides of the (English) Channel that the time is ripe for a reassessment of EU-UK relations," the report said.

On Thursday, new European Council President Antonio Costa made his maiden visit to Britain for talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as the two sides press to improve ties, Brussels said.

But, while UK and EU negotiators are set to meet in January to explore closer ties, both sides have said they will not target the UK rejoining the political and economic alliance or its single market. The ECFR report said voters appear to be ahead of the politicians, and want to go further.

It said 54 percent of Britons who voted "leave" in the 2016 referendum would now accept free movement for EU and UK citizens wanting to live and work throughout their shared territory, in return for access to the EU's single market.

In the past, free access was a major reason why many UK voters chose to leave the bloc, over fears EU citizens were outcompeting them for jobs.

The report said the desire for closer UK-EU ties increased significantly after Donald Trump secured the presidency of the United States, and has been fueled by worries about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"The EU and the UK are both very vulnerable to prevailing global events and a reset of relations is the single most effective way to make both sides stronger," the report said.

In general, 55 percent of UK voters want improved ties, while 10 percent want more distant ties, and 22 percent want the status quo.

Among EU nations, 45 percent of Germans want closer ties, the report said, as do 44 percent of Polish voters, 41 percent of Spaniards, 40 percent of Italians, and 34 percent of the French.

Agencies contributed to this story.

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