A new poll released on Saturday, September 19, 2026, indicates that 40% of voters who supported Brexit now favor strengthening defense ties with Europe. The data, collected by Savanta between September 4 and 7, shows that 50% of all surveyed voters believe the United Kingdom should prioritize security links with European allies, while 10% believe the government should focus on cooperation with the United States.
The poll was commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and released on the first day of their annual conference in Brighton. It comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham maintains previous government policies, referred to as "red lines," which rule out rejoining the European Union's customs union and single market or restoring the free movement of people. While Mr. Burnham has stated he intends to be bolder in resetting relations with the bloc than his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer, he has vowed to honor these specific restrictions.
The Liberal Democrats used the findings to advocate for a "growth and defense partnership" with Europe. The proposed plan includes membership in the single market and the creation of a new security council. Al Pinkerton, the party’s Europe spokesperson, stated that rebuilding these ties would stimulate economic growth and strengthen national defense. He described the current government's adherence to existing policy limits as a risk to national security in light of global instability.
In response to the poll and the Liberal Democrats' proposal, a government spokesperson stated that Europe faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War. The spokesperson said the government is working alongside allies to build a stronger Europe within NATO and is seeking an "ambitious, close relationship" with the EU to improve security and unlock growth.
The scale of this shift in public opinion involves a significant portion of the electorate a decade after the EU referendum. With 40% of Brexit backers and 25% of Reform UK voters now supporting closer European defense links, the data suggests a change in priority for voters across various political affiliations. For the average household, these policy decisions influence the cost of goods affected by trade agreements and the allocation of taxpayer funds toward either independent defense spending or integrated European security frameworks.
What happens next depends on whether the government adjusts its stated "red lines" in response to these figures and internal political pressure. Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock and polling expert Sir John Curtice have both suggested that current support for rejoining the EU or its structures is at a high level. The Liberal Democrats are expected to continue promoting their partnership plan throughout their annual conference. However, the government has not yet announced any changes to its stance on the customs union or single market.