Public support for the United Kingdom rejoining the European Union (EU) has reached its highest level since the 2016 Brexit referendum, according to one of the country's leading polling experts, as debate over Britain's future relationship with the bloc continues.

Professor Sir John Curtice said that if a referendum on EU membership were held today, 61 percent of British voters would vote to rejoin the EU, while 39 per cent would choose to remain outside the bloc.

Demographic shift drives growing support

Curtice said the increase in support is driven largely by demographic change rather than a major shift among Brexit supporters.

He explained that many of the younger voters who were too young to take part in the 2016 referendum have since become eligible to vote and overwhelmingly favor EU membership.

At the same time, only about 18 per cent of those who voted to leave the EU in 2016 now support rejoining, indicating that most Leave voters have maintained their original position.

Curtice said supporters of rejoining the EU would begin any future referendum campaign in a stronger position than they did in 2016.

However, he stressed that the final outcome would still depend on how political parties present their arguments and how the issue is framed during the campaign.

UK-EU ties continue to evolve

Commenting on the UK government's post-Brexit approach, Curtice argued that the ruling Labour Party's long-standing cautious and low-profile stance on Brexit should evolve.

He said that if the government decides to pursue closer ties with the EU, it should clearly explain and defend those policies before the public.

His remarks come as London and Brussels continue efforts to strengthen post-Brexit cooperation through a broader "reset" of relations.

Negotiations have focused on food and agricultural trade, youth mobility, regulatory cooperation and carbon market links. However, differences over industrial policy and other issues have delayed a planned UK-EU summit.

Public concerns remain

Curtice also said concerns remain among British voters over issues such as adopting the euro or joining the Schengen Area if the UK were to seek EU membership again.

He cautioned that despite growing public support for rejoining the bloc, the outcome of any future referendum cannot yet be considered certain.

Recent polling and political analysis nevertheless indicate that public opinion has continued to move steadily in favor of closer ties with the EU compared with the years immediately following Brexit.(ILKHA)