Majority of British voters continue to have a Brexit identity, new article by DPIR’s Professor James Tilley reveals

The majority of British voters still identify as either ‘Leavers’ or ‘Remainers’, DPIR’s Professor James Tilley argues in a report chapter he has co-written with Professor Sara Hobolt of LSE.  

The article ‘Do “Remainers” and “Leavers” Still Exist?’–– in the British politics after Brexit report from UK in a Changing Europe–– states that, while Brexit matters less to voters than it once did, a majority still hold a Brexit identity. Despite the UK having left the EU and having since experienced a pandemic, 62% of people continue to think of themselves as either a ‘Remainer’ or a ‘Leaver’.

Hobolt and Tilley write: ‘When the Electoral Commission decided, in September 2015, that the referendum question on leaving the EU would be easier to understand if ‘Leave’ and ‘Remain’ were the options rather than ‘Yes’ or ‘No’, they could not have imagined how those labels would stick. Yet, the referendum gave rise to distinct political identities that have polarised the nation ever since.’

The article also explores how Brexit identities continue to shape people’s view of the world and speculates as to how important these identities are likely to be at the next general election.

The ‘British politics after Brexit’ report looks to address key questions about post-Brexit politics and public opinion through the opinions of leading scholars in the field.