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.

Spain’s two largest trade union groups in the fuel retail sector have called strike action at petrol stations across the country in a bid to unblock negotiations over a new collective agreement. UGT FICA and CCOO Industria announced stoppages affecting the service station sector after talks with employers failed to produce an agreement on pay and working conditions. According to union statements reported on April 17, the action has been called in response to what unions describe as a reversal of earlier proposals during negotiations.

The planned stoppages are scheduled for April 30, when workers are due to strike from 12:00pm to 04:00am, and May 3, when a 24-hour strike has been called. The dispute centres on the national collective agreement covering employees in petrol stations, including forecourt staff, shop workers and other personnel employed at service stations.

Why unions have called the strike

The unions say negotiations had made progress before employers returned with a revised proposal that reduced previous commitments. Reports in Spain state that disagreement remains over wage increases and other employment terms within the next agreement. Collective agreements in Spain set minimum standards for pay, working hours, leave and other workplace conditions across entire sectors. Without a new deal, uncertainty can continue for both workers and employers.

UGT FICA and CCOO Industria said the strike is intended to increase pressure on employers to return to meaningful negotiations. No final settlement had been announced at the time the action was declared. Employer organisations had not issued a publicly agreed response in the initial reports, although further talks may still take place before the planned dates.

How the strike could affect drivers in Spain

For motorists in Spain, the main impact is likely to be reduced staffing at some petrol stations during the strike periods. This could lead to longer queues, slower service and temporary closures at certain sites, depending on staffing levels and how widely the action is observed. The four-hour stoppage on April 30 may create local disruption, particularly around lunchtime and ahead of the May Day holiday period, when road travel often increases.

The 24-hour strike on May 3 could have a wider effect if participation is high. Drivers may find some stations operating with limited staff, fewer tills open, or shorter opening hours. Self-service pumps may continue to function at locations equipped for automated payment, but this will vary by operator. Availability is also likely to differ by region. Urban areas with many service stations may see fewer problems than smaller towns or rural routes where drivers have fewer alternatives nearby.

Advice for residents and visitors

People living in Spain or travelling by car during the strike dates may wish to plan ahead. Filling up before the stoppages begin could help avoid queues or reduced service. Drivers making long journeys during the bank holiday period should check fuel levels before departure and allow extra time for stops, particularly on major routes where traffic is expected to be heavier.

There is no indication in the current reports of a nationwide fuel shortage. The dispute concerns staffing and workplace negotiations rather than a lack of petrol or diesel supply. In practical terms, the issue for motorists is expected to be access and waiting times rather than stock availability. Visitors hiring cars in Spain may also wish to confirm whether their route includes service stations with automated payment options, especially if travelling outside large cities.

Importance of the sector

Petrol stations in Spain provide more than fuel sales alone. Many sites include convenience shops, food outlets, parcel collection points and basic vehicle services. Disruption can therefore affect daily routines beyond refuelling, especially in areas where service stations are among the few late-opening retail sites. The sector also supports commercial traffic, delivery drivers and commuters who rely on frequent access to fuel. Even short periods of reduced service can cause delays where demand is concentrated.

Because the strike falls close to a holiday period, attention is likely to focus on whether both sides can resume talks before the action begins.

What happens next

Strike notices do not always lead to full stoppages if negotiations restart and a compromise is reached. In Spain, labour disputes are often accompanied by further meetings after industrial action is announced. If no agreement is reached, workers can proceed with the planned stoppages on April 30 and May 3. Depending on the scale of participation, regional authorities may also issue minimum service requirements where necessary under Spanish labour rules.

For now, drivers in Spain are not being told to expect fuel shortages, but they may face inconvenience at some petrol stations if the action goes ahead. The extent of disruption will depend on how many workers join the strike and whether last-minute talks produce a settlement. The dispute is the latest example of collective bargaining tensions affecting everyday services. For consumers, the immediate concern is practical: whether local stations remain fully staffed and how easily fuel can be obtained during the strike period.