The Guardian view on UK-EU relations: voters would reward greater ambition

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 11, 2026

Nigel Farage, a key advocate for Brexit, has remained largely silent as public opinion polls reveal that a majority of Britons view Brexit as a failure and favor closer ties with the EU on trade, defense, and youth mobility. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham aims to strengthen cooperation with the EU despite political constraints and delayed summit talks, highlighting ongoing challenges in reshaping post-Brexit relations.

Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK and a prominent figure in the Brexit movement, has notably refrained from celebrating the completion of the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union, an outcome he long championed. Despite his central role in advocating for Brexit, Farage has remained largely silent on its aftermath, a reticence that analysts attribute to widespread public dissatisfaction with the results of leaving the EU.

Recent polling data underscore this discontent. A survey conducted by think tank British Future found that 57% of respondents viewed Brexit as “more a failure than a success,” with only 21% expressing the opposite sentiment. The poll also revealed substantial public support for closer post-Brexit ties between the UK and EU in key areas such as trade, defense, and health policy. Notably, 57% of those surveyed favored reinstating a youth mobility scheme for 18- to 30-year-olds, which would restore some of the opportunities to live and work within the EU that were lost after Brexit.

Despite these sentiments, there is little appetite among voters for a full reversal of Brexit or for holding a new referendum on EU membership. Memories of the contentious campaign and the subsequent exit process appear to dampen enthusiasm for reopening the debate. However, the prevailing public opinion runs counter to the initial expectations of many Brexit proponents, including Farage and leading Conservative figures, who now face growing criticism over the economic and political consequences of leaving the EU.

In this context, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signaled his intention to pursue a more ambitious approach to rebuilding UK-EU relations. Burnham, who assumed office following a gradual “reset” of European ties initiated by his predecessor, has expressed a desire to expand cooperation across sectors such as agricultural trade, energy, defense, security, and youth mobility programs. However, his options remain constrained by the Labour Party’s 2024 election manifesto, which precludes rejoining the single market or customs union.

A planned UK-EU summit slated for July to advance negotiations was postponed following the departure of Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and has yet to be rescheduled. While technical discussions have continued, observers note a lack of political momentum from both London and Brussels, raising concerns about the potential for stagnation without renewed political commitment.

The case for enhanced UK-EU collaboration has gained additional urgency amid broader geopolitical developments, including perceived challenges to the transatlantic alliance and global trade order. Analysts suggest that aligning with the EU on strategic issues could address these concerns and resonate with the British public, even as some Brexiteers remain resistant.

Prime Minister Burnham’s willingness to articulate and pursue a forward-looking and comprehensive framework for UK-EU relations may garner significant public backing. Yet, the slow pace of institutional processes and the complex political landscape underscore the challenges inherent in redefining the post-Brexit partnership.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.