February 21, 2026
Gen Z vs Brexit: Round Two
Over 80% of 16 to 24-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU
Gen Z wants back in: 83% say rejoin the EU — skeptics ask if they’ll show up to vote
TLDR: A poll says 83% of 16–24-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU, igniting a comments brawl over age, turnout, and credibility. Fans say “gold standard” poll; skeptics say young people don’t vote, while others argue real-life costs matter—making this a key signal for where UK politics could head next.
A new ITV/Savanta poll says 83% of 16–24-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU, and the comments section immediately turned into a generational soap opera. Supporters cheered the stat, with one user calling the pollster “the gold standard,” while another side-eyed the source with “ITV is a commercial broadcaster,” implying big headlines need big salt.
Then came the age-gap fireworks. One commenter dropped the mic with, “you had to be over 39 to be more likely to vote Leave,” framing Brexit as a Boomer-era decision Gen Z now wants to undo. Cue “OK Boomer” memes on one side and grim reminders on the other that youth turnout is famously low—“The cohort least likely to vote” became the thread’s icy bucket of water.
Adding spice, a philosopher-in-the-replies laughed off “politics as feelings,” insisting it’s about rent, jobs, and groceries—a clash of vibes vs. reality. Meanwhile, the wider plot twists continue: Nigel Farage says Brexit hasn’t delivered, Reform blames the Conservatives, and PM Keir Starmer talks “deeper economic integration” and inching closer to the single market. The Liberal Democrats flirt with a customs union, the Greens openly say “rejoin,” and users joke Starmer is “speedrunning EU membership DLC.”
Bottom line: the youth want back in, the old guard isn’t convinced, and everyone’s arguing about whether those 83% will actually show up on polling day.
Key Points
- •Savanta’s poll for ITV’s Peston found 83% of UK 16–24-year-olds would vote to rejoin the EU; 17% would stay out.
- •This age group was not eligible to vote in the 2016 EU referendum, which resulted in a 52% Leave outcome.
- •Nigel Farage has criticised Brexit outcomes; Reform Party blames Conservative management for not maximising benefits of leaving.
- •Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks a closer UK–EU relationship and deeper economic integration, potentially closer single market alignment in more sectors.
- •Liberal Democrats advocate a new customs union; Ed Davey’s long-term goal is rejoining, while the Greens are the only mainstream party actively campaigning to rejoin now.