Four in 10 Brexit backers want the UK to strengthen defence ties with Europe, according to a new Savanta poll conducted a decade after the 2016 referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.
The poll found that 40 per cent of people who supported Brexit believe the UK should prioritise stronger defence cooperation with European allies. Across the wider electorate, half of voters expressed support for stronger security links with Europe.
The findings were released as the Liberal Democrats began their annual conference in Brighton, where the party is calling for closer UK-EU cooperation on defence, trade and economic policy.
The Independent reported that the poll was commissioned by the Liberal Democrats and comes amid continuing debate over the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the European Union.
Liberal Democrats Call for Stronger European Defence Ties
The Liberal Democrats are proposing a new “Growth and Defence Partnership” with Europe, arguing that closer cooperation could strengthen European security while also supporting the British economy.
The proposed partnership would include a new UK-EU defence pact, membership of the European single market and a new security council, according to the party.
The Liberal Democrats said closer economic and defence relationships could help protect Britain’s borders while supporting industries such as shipbuilding and aerospace.
The party has also linked its proposal to concerns about the changing European security environment, particularly the war in Ukraine and wider tensions involving Russia and the United States.
Poll Shows Support Across Brexit Groups
The Savanta research suggests that support for closer European defence cooperation extends beyond people who voted to remain in the EU.
According to the poll, 40 per cent of Brexit supporters backed stronger defence ties with European allies. Among Reform UK voters, 25 per cent supported prioritising stronger defence links with Europe.
Overall, half of those surveyed said the UK should prioritise stronger security links with European allies, while only one in 10 favoured greater cooperation with the United States.
Savanta interviewed 2,376 UK adults between September 4 and September 7.
The results provide a snapshot of public opinion at the time of the survey and do not necessarily indicate how views may change as Britain’s relationship with Europe develops.
Debate Over Labour’s Brexit Position
The findings have added to political debate surrounding Labour’s approach to Britain’s relationship with the EU.
Andy Burnham has pledged to honour Sir Keir Starmer’s existing position ruling out a return to the EU customs union and single market, as well as the restoration of free movement.
Burnham has nevertheless said he wants to be “bolder” than his predecessor in resetting relations between Britain and the European bloc.
The Liberal Democrats argue that maintaining those restrictions could limit Britain’s ability to respond to changes in Europe’s security environment.
Lib Dem Europe spokesperson Al Pinkerton said: “Ambitiously rebuilding our defence and trade ties with Europe is the biggest step this government could take to turbocharge economic growth and bolster Britain’s defences.”
“The public sees this clearly – yet Starmer stuck his head in the sand, and Burnham now risks becoming continuity-Keir.”
Pinkerton called on the government to put a Growth and Defence Partnership “on the table, which includes a new UK-EU defence pact and the UK joining the single market”.
Government Defends Its EU Approach
The government has rejected the suggestion that its current approach leaves Britain isolated from European security cooperation.
A government spokesperson said: “Europe faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War, and we are stepping up alongside our allies to build a stronger Europe in a stronger Nato.”
“That is why we are building an ambitious, close relationship with the EU that will improve our security and unlock good growth in every postcode.”
The government’s position is therefore focused on maintaining a close relationship with the EU while remaining outside the single market and customs union.
Former Leaders Add to Brexit Debate
The debate has also attracted comments from senior figures from previous governments and political eras.
Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock told The Independent that a new prime minister should not be “constrained” by Labour’s existing Brexit red lines.
Kinnock also argued that people who “love their country” would want Britain to return to the European Union.
Former Conservative chancellor George Osborne has similarly argued for closer economic integration with the EU.
Earlier in September, Osborne said Britain’s economy had “fallen off a cliff” since Brexit and argued that rejoining the EU customs union would be the quickest route to economic recovery.
Those are political assessments rather than findings from the Savanta polling itself, and they form part of the wider debate over the economic consequences of Brexit.
Support for EU Membership Also Under Debate
The latest poll comes alongside claims that support for Britain rejoining the European Union has increased since the 2016 referendum.
Polling expert Professor Sir John Curtice told The Independent that support for rejoining the EU was at its highest level since the Brexit vote.
Curtice also warned that political leaders would need to act if they wanted to translate public opinion into changes in policy.
The distinction between support for closer cooperation with Europe and support for rejoining the EU remains important.
The Savanta poll specifically examined attitudes towards defence and security cooperation, while the wider debate over EU membership covers questions including trade, immigration, economic policy and the UK’s constitutional relationship with the bloc.
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Support for closer defence cooperation is not confined to one political group, with the poll showing backing among both Brexit supporters and voters more broadly.
At the same time, political parties continue to disagree over how far Britain should go in rebuilding economic and institutional links with the European Union.
The government says it is pursuing a close relationship with the EU while strengthening Nato and European security cooperation.
The Liberal Democrats are calling for substantially deeper integration through their proposed Growth and Defence Partnership, including closer defence arrangements and membership of the single market.
The polling provides data on public attitudes, while the competing proposals from political parties reflect different approaches to Britain’s future relationship with Europe.
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