More than half of Britons now support rejoining the European Union, according to new polling published almost 10 years after the 2016 referendum that led to Brexit. The survey, commissioned by Best for Britain and released on April 17, found that 53% of voters would back returning to the EU. The result adds to evidence from recent years suggesting attitudes towards Brexit have changed since the original vote.

In June 2016, the UK voted to leave the European Union by 51.9% to 48.1%. The decision triggered years of political debate, leadership changes, parliamentary deadlock and negotiations with Brussels. Britain formally left the EU on January 31 2020. Although rejoining is not current government policy, the latest findings indicate that the issue remains politically relevant as the tenth anniversary of the referendum approaches.

Strong support among Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green voters

The poll found the highest support for rejoining among voters who back parties that have traditionally favoured closer ties with Europe. Among Labour supporters, 83% said they would support re-entry to the bloc. Support stood at 84% among Liberal Democrat voters and 82% among Green voters.

Among Conservative voters, the figure was lower at 39%, while 18% of Reform UK supporters said they would back rejoining. The differences reflect how views on Europe continue to align with wider political loyalties. While the referendum took place nearly a decade ago, Brexit remains closely linked to party identity and broader views about sovereignty, trade and immigration.

No immediate route back to membership

Despite the poll result, there is no major Westminster party currently campaigning to take the UK back into the European Union. Labour has ruled out rejoining the EU, the single market and the customs union during the current parliament. Instead, it has argued for a more practical relationship with European partners, including cooperation on trade, defence, security and scientific research.

The Conservative Party continues to defend Brexit as the outcome of a democratic vote and argues that leaving the EU gave the UK greater control over domestic decision-making. Reform UK has also opposed closer political integration with Brussels and has called for further distance from EU institutions.

That means there is currently no clear parliamentary path towards renewed membership, even if public support continues to rise.

Brexit’s legacy still debated

The impact of Brexit remains contested. Supporters argue that leaving restored control over laws, borders and trade policy, allowing Britain to negotiate its own international agreements. Critics point to added trade barriers, customs paperwork for exporters and reduced freedom of movement compared with the pre-Brexit system. Some sectors, including agriculture, hospitality and health care, have also raised concerns about labour shortages and recruitment pressures since migration rules changed.

The effects have not been uniform. Some businesses adapted quickly, while others continue to report higher costs or more complex administration. Different regions and industries have therefore experienced Brexit in different ways. That mixed picture helps explain why public opinion has continued to shift rather than settle into a fixed position.

Poll reflects mood rather than policy change

Opinion polls provide a measure of public sentiment at a particular moment, but they do not in themselves determine government policy. Results can also vary depending on the wording of questions, sample size and current political events. Even so, support above the 50% mark is significant. It suggests that rejoining the EU is no longer a minority position within this survey.

There is still no sign of an immediate move towards membership. Any future attempt to rejoin would require sustained political backing, negotiations with the EU and a clear mandate from voters. For now, the poll is best seen as a snapshot of how views have changed since 2016. Nearly a decade after the referendum, Britain’s relationship with Europe remains one of the defining issues in national politics.

Anyone planning to buy a new smartphone in the next few years may want to know this now. From 2027, mobile phones sold across the European Union will have to meet new rules designed to make them last longer, work better over time and become easier to repair. One of the biggest changes is the battery. In many cases, it will need to be replaceable, a move that could end the frustration of owning an expensive phone that no longer holds charge.

For millions of users, it could mean keeping a phone for years longer instead of replacing it the moment battery life starts to collapse.

Why Europe wants to change the way phones are made

Most smartphone owners know how the story often goes.

The phone feels fast and reliable at first. Then after a few years, the battery drains quickly, charging becomes constant and performance can start to feel weaker. Many people eventually buy a new device, even if the rest of the phone still works perfectly well.

European regulators want to reduce that cycle. The wider aim is to cut electronic waste, help consumers save money and make products easier to repair rather than throw away.

Phones are a major target because they are one of the most commonly replaced devices in everyday life.

And for many users, the battery is the first thing that pushes them towards an upgrade.

What will change from 2027

From 2027, smartphones sold in the EU will need to meet tougher standards on battery durability and repairability.

That means batteries should keep their performance for longer after repeated charging.

It also means replacing a worn battery should become much easier than it is on many current models.

Modern phones are often sealed units. Opening them can require heat, glue removal, specialist tools or professional repair services.

For ordinary users, that usually means inconvenience or extra cost.

The new rules are expected to push manufacturers towards designs that allow simpler battery replacement and easier maintenance.

It may not always mean the old style removable back cover people remember from years ago, but it should mean batteries are no longer treated as something almost impossible to access.

What this means for iPhone and Android buyers

The rules apply to devices sold in the EU market, which is one of the largest consumer markets in the world.

That matters because major brands rarely want to produce completely different versions of the same phone for multiple regions unless necessary.

As a result, changes introduced for Europe can often influence products sold elsewhere too.

For buyers, it could mean future iPhones and Android phones becoming more practical, with longer usable life and easier repairs.

Some manufacturers may redesign internal components. Others may create smarter battery systems that can be replaced quickly without damaging the phone.

However brands respond, consumers are likely to benefit.

Why many people will welcome the change

For everyday users, battery problems are one of the most annoying parts of owning an older phone.

You leave home fully charged, then by lunchtime the battery is nearly gone.

You carry a charger everywhere, lower screen brightness, close apps and still watch the percentage fall.

At that point, many people assume they need a new phone.

But often they only need a new battery. If battery replacement becomes simpler and cheaper, plenty of phones could stay useful for several extra years.

That could be especially important now, with premium smartphones often costing hundreds or even more than a thousand euros.

The money side of the story

Keeping a device longer can make a real difference.

Many households now manage several phones at once between parents, teenagers and work devices.

Replacing phones less often could save families substantial amounts over time.

It may also encourage a stronger repair market, with local technicians and authorised services seeing more demand for battery swaps instead of full device replacements.

That creates more choice for consumers.

Less waste, longer life

There is also the environmental argument. Discarded electronics contain materials that require energy and resources to produce.

If phones stay in use longer, fewer devices are thrown away and fewer new ones need to be manufactured as quickly.

That is one of the key reasons Europe is pressing ahead.

What happens next

The deadline is still ahead, so consumers will not see everything change tomorrow. But brands are already likely to be planning future models around the incoming rules.

That means phones launched over the next few years may gradually move in this direction. For users, the message is simple.

The era of replacing a perfectly good phone because the battery is tired may finally be coming to an end.

Cameras rolled through the doors of Andajuicya juice bar in Alhaurin el Grande on Friday, April 17, as part of a popular UK television programme that follows British people who have moved to Spain.

Producers chose the location to interview Andi and Stacey about the rapid growth of their cold-pressed juice enterprise and them making success of moving to a whole new life in southern Spain.

Nationwide deliveries bring healthy options to hotels and workplaces

Andajuicya now distributes fresh juices right across Spain. Hotels and companies order regular supplies so staff members enjoy tasty, nutrient-rich drinks that support daily fitness and wellbeing. Customers appreciate the absence of additives and the focus on pure ingredients pressed daily. Employers love the idea that this little extra they give to their staff will go a long way to keeping them healthy, and, of course, in shape for work.

Cafe draws visitors from every corner of Andalusia

People travel from far and wide to experience the cafe at Andajuicya in the Malaga Province town of Alhaurin el Grande. Expat families and local Spanish residents drop in for revitalising juices combined with nourishing meals. Stacey explains their approach clearly. “When we were first starting, everyone was advising we do English breakfasts and bangers and mash. But, Andi and I don’t eat those things. We do things like sausage meat muffins and sausage and bacon pancakes, but we use the best locally-sourced ingredients, and it’s all homemade,” she says. Flavours remain familiar yet every dish receives careful preparation with only the best produce and ending with a fresh juice chaser.

Expansion into franchises and retreats

Andajuicya is now branching out and developing franchise opportunities as well as launching wellness retreats inside the Guadalhorce Valley. This area has gained fame over centuries for rich soil that yields abundant fresh produce ideal for juice recipes. Early interest from British television channels confirms the couple’s achievements as they launch what promises to become the major success story that Spain has been waiting for.