What's happened
A Deltapoll survey has found 59% of British adults would back re-joining the EU in a fresh Brexit referendum, published ahead of the EU referendum’s 10th anniversary. The Mirror reports that Labour’s Starmer is pushing to participate in an EU loan scheme for Ukraine that could boost UK defence jobs, while the US faces tension with Europe over Ukraine and Iran.
What's behind the headline?
key takeaways
- Public support for re-joining the EU has risen to 59% in the new poll, signaling potential political pressure ahead of future negotiations.
- Labour leader Keir Starmer frames closer European defence and security ties as beneficial to the UK, including participation in the EU loan scheme for Ukraine.
- The EU loan scheme is presented as offering jobs and economic benefits at home, while also advancing Ukraine’s needs and European security commitments.
potential implications
- A shift in public opinion could influence party strategies on Brexit-era reforms.
- Greater European security integration may affect UK defence procurement and industry contracts.
- The balance of transatlantic relations with the US remains a factor in UK-European discussions, especially around NATO and deterrence posture.
How we got here
The poll, conducted online with 3,353 respondents between 26 April and 1 May 2026, gauges public sentiment as the UK seeks to reset relations with Brussels after Brexit and amid global tensions surrounding Ukraine and Iran. It aligns with recent government and Labour positioning on security cooperation and European economic ties.
Our analysis
The Mirror reports on a Deltapoll online poll of 3,353 British adults (26 Apr–1 May 2026) with representation across Wales and Scotland. The Mirror also quotes Labour leader Keir Starmer and notes comments at the European Political Summit. Additional context is provided by contemporaneous coverage of US-UK-EU discussions on Ukraine and Iran tensions.
Go deeper
- How might this poll influence Labour’s Brexit stance and defence policy?
- What would UK participation in the EU loan scheme mean for domestic jobs and defence contracts?
- How are US-EU tensions shaping UK-European relations right now?
More on these topics
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Keir Starmer - Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom
Sir Keir Rodney Starmer KCB QC MP is a British politician and former lawyer who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since 2020. He has been Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.
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Donald Trump - 45th and 47th U.S. President
Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who is the 47th president of the United States. A member of the Republican Party, he served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021.
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United Kingdom - Country in Europe
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Ukraine - Country in Europe
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It is the second-largest European country after Russia, which borders it to the east and northeast.