As Theresa May refuses to say if she’d vote Brexit in any hypothetical fresh poll, we hear from readers who now regret how they voted in the referendum

'We were lied to': voters who have changed their mind on Brexit

Does the Prime Minister believe in Brexit? Theresa May refused to say how she would vote if a hypothetical fresh referendum was held, saying instead she would have to “weigh up the evidence” on an LBC radio phone-in.

We asked our readers if they regretted the way they voted in last year’s referendum. We hear from both Leave and Remain voters who have since experienced doubts about the way they voted, and how the departure process is unfolding.

‘The EU is intent on punishing us’



I voted Remain, feeling that leaving was not worth the short term economic disruption, but with misgivings about the political direction of the EU. However, I am now convinced that leaving is the right thing to do.



The EU has set out its stall for greater integration and less democracy. It is also being obstructive in the so-called negotiations. It is clear to me that the EU is intent on punishing us, rather than working with us constructively.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest European Union’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier holds a joint news conference with Britain’s Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union David Davis. Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

It would be ideal to exit in 2019 with an amicable divorce and broad agreement on a future relationship. But it won’t happen. I believe it will be a hard Brexit with WTO rules. The short term will be tough, but it will be worth it.

Nigel, 62, Training Consultant

‘We were lied to during the campaign’

Had I known the truth I would have voted Remain. I am very angry that politicians seem able to lie at will to get what they want with no repercussions.



It is increasingly clear that Brexit will benefit only a few of the super rich and most of us will be worse off. I am sure that the result would have been very different had we known the reality of the effect of Brexit on the majority of the country

Sarah, 27, Self-Employed



‘The EU is flawed, but the UK is worse on its own’



I would prefer a Brexit that was handled with objectivity, transparency and honesty by the government and media. Instead, soundbites and hysteria has led to an angry and divided nation frustrated with the status quo.

I would now vote Remain, but not because I think it’s a better system. I was already conflicted when doing research [before the vote] and hoped I had voted for long-term positive change.



The EU political system is inherently flawed, but it is clear now UK on its own is an even worse - particularly under the current government, which only has its own interests at heart. I don’t trust them to make progressive deals or politics. Voting Remain would have been a better alternative.



Alice, 35, Graphic Designer

‘A hard Brexit would be catastrophic’



I voted for Brexit, but we were misled. We need to stay in the customs union and single market. MPs are being dishonest by not revealing how catastrophic a “hard Brexit” would be. They seem more concerned by their own futures that that of the country.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Vote Leave campaign bus. Photograph: Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

I would now vote to Remain. We were far better off within Europe as we we were not part of the Schengen Area and also were not part of the currency, and received rebates which were not afforded to other members.



My son is now actively seeking to emigrate with his partner. Both are young professionals. He now feels the country is populated by a bunch of old men shaking their fists across the channel.

Lance, 55, Business Owner

‘The EU are behaving terribly’



I think the negotiations are going better than we’ve been led to believe. The EU are behaving terribly - the negotiations have revealed their true colours. I just don’t see how we can justify being bullied by these people. I voted Remain but would back Leave now - I was quite unaware how much control they exerted.

Cheryl, 28, Nurse



‘I expected Remain to win’



I fully expected a Remain win, but the EU needed to make some reforms and a sizable number of Leave voters may have persuaded them to do it.



I got it wrong. We were told the referendum wasn’t binding. I would argue, as Nigel Farage did [before he realised the result was for Leave], that a 48/52 vote does not justify a government throwing its arms in the air and saying “That’s it: the will of the people means we leave no matter what.”



Stuart, IT manager, 53



‘I was told this was a vote for freedom’



We have no deal on the table. We have an NHS in crisis. We have infighting by the Conservatives who got us into this. We have Gove and Johnson in the cabinet, when they should be ashamed of their behaviour. We were lied to.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Environment Secretary Michael Gove leave 10 Downing Street together. Photograph: Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

What I was told was a vote for freedom will in fact remove our freedom and put it in the hands of the wealthy.



Brexit was theft by the rich. All will be sold to the highest bidder, regardless of the consequences.



Jane, 52, landlord