Understanding Brexit: Impacts at a Local Level

18/11/2018

Click the image above to read The New European article

Brexit will create a new trade, migration and public spending environment, which will have a range of impacts on local economies.  None of these have as yet been identified as positive. Yet still, when faced with challenging questions about the issues that Brexit brings, the champions and voters of Vote Leave spout the same drivel: "We won, you lost.  Get over it!"

It appears the Leave vote was actually strongest in areas with fewest migrants. It seems people are least likely to be bothered by immigrants and foreigners when they actually live on the same street as them. It is the fear factor spread by Nigel Farage, Leave.EU and their ilk which led to increased xenophobia and an illogical desire, on the part of some, to 'Make Britain British Again'.

Similarly, those areas which had benefited most from EU grants and could expect to continue to reap such rewards, seemed to be ignorant of the impact and voted to exit from the EU.

It is interesting that, when polls put out by various news organisations, such as Channel4, show a swing in the vote to 54% Remain as opposed to 46% Leave, there have been a number of pro-Brexit groups who have shared their own polls through social media. These appear to have backfired though, with the percentages for remaining in the EU matching or exceeding the Channel4 poll. In one case, the group responsible for the poll subsequently pulled it (see following images).

The Brexit News poll appeared to have backfired, with even greater percentages voting to Remain that the Channel4 poll they were reacting to!

Brexit News removed the poll, alleging abusive messages from Remain voters. However, prior to its removal, the only abuse appeared to be coming from the Leave side. Remain comments appeared to be more humorous than abusive.

Another pro-Brexit page is running a poll as I write this article, with 66% of 'voters' opting for Remain. I guess we can expect this poll to be pulled as well.

The will of the people is clear.

The damage that will be caused by exiting the EU is clear.

The mandate for a 'People's Vote' on the choices we now face is also clear.