The majority of people in Wales think that Brexit was a mistake, according to a poll by news website UnHerd.
In the 2016 EU Referendum, Wales in fact voted Leave. Only five council areas had a majority remain vote; Cardiff, Ceredigion, Monmouthshire, the Vale of Glamorgan, and Gwynedd.
The survey of more than 10,000 people across Wales, Scotland, and England found that 54% of respondents agreed with the statement that ‘Britain was wrong to leave the EU.’
Cardiff Central had the highest percentage in Wales, with 65% agreeing with that leaving the EU was a mistake. This was closely followed by Cardiff North, with 64%, and the constituency of Arfon, in Gwynedd with 60%.
Montgomeryshire was the Welsh area with the least Brexit regret – or ‘Bregret’, as UnHerd have termed it – with just 44% agreeing, 38% disagreeing, and 17% neutral. But this was still a majority, however slim.
With today being exactly three years since the UK officially left the EU, many politicians are marking the occasion by looking back on its success – or lack of.
Jane Dodds, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and Member of the Senedd for Mid and West Wales, stated that “no promises made by Leave campaigners have materialised.”
She added that “Welsh […] businesses are struggling, drowning in increased red tape and costs,” and called for a better trade agreement with the European Union.
Her view wasn’t shared by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who released a statement describing the “huge strides in harnessing the freedoms unlocked by Brexit.”
He pointed to the the UK “leading Europe’s fastest vaccine rollout, striking trade deals with over 70 countries […] [and] taking back control of our borders” and stated that “we’ve forged a path as an independent nation with confidence.”
Mr Sunak also highlighted the government’s plans for “growing the economy” and “ensur[ing] the benefits of Brexit continue to empower communities and businesses.”