Thursday’s dramatic and historic referendum on the member state United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) leaving the European Union (EU) has resulted in an OUT vote in the Duchy of Cornwall!
The Duchy’s results were among the last declared but came out 56.48% OUT against 43.52% IN. With a turnout of 77% of registered voters in Cornwall, 182,665 voted to end their economic and institutional links with the EU and 140,540 people voted to remain.
Across the UK (and related territories) approx. 51.9% voted to leave the European Union and 48.1% voted to stay. Turnout was a creditable 72% – more UK wide than have voted than on any occasion since 1992.
Scotland voted in favour of staying in the EU by 62% to 38%, with all 32 council areas backing Remain. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has stated that the Scottish Government will do all in its powers to either remain in the EU, and to protect all Scotland’s interests.
Northern Ireland, with a land border with the EU Republic of Ireland voted to Remain 55.7% to 44.3%. The UK wide vote has huge implications for the future there.
Wales, with a huge English migrant population but high EU financial support like Cornwall, however voted 51.7% to 48.3% to Leave.
The Isles of Scilly voted to stay in.
Cornwall Council has declared that it will seek urgent confirmation from UK Ministers on EU funding allocated to Cornwall.
“We note the result of the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union. Prior to the referendum we were reassured by the ‘leave’ campaign that a decision to leave the EU would not affect the EU funding which has already been allocated to Cornwall and that Cornwall would not be worse off in terms of the investment we receive. We are seeking urgent confirmation from Ministers that this is the case.
We will now be studying the impact of this decision on Cornwall, both now and in the future. Because of Cornwall’s relatively weak economy, compared to the rest of Europe, Cornwall has received significant amounts of funding from the EU over the past 15 years and we will be seeking confirmation that this allocation, based on need, will continue in the future.”
John Pollard, the Leader of Cornwall Council said “Now that we know the UK will be leaving the EU we will be taking urgent steps to ensure that the UK Government protects Cornwall’s position in any negotiations.
“We will be insisting that Cornwall receives investment equal to that provided by the EU programme which has averaged £60M per year over the last ten years.”
Wide impact continues as billions have been wiped off foreign markets following the UK’s Brexit, as David Cameron foreshadows his resignation and EU bosses tell Britain to get out now. The future, and if there is one, of the UK as it now exists is the new focus.
UPDATE:
The results by Constituency (non-postal):
REMAIN
Truro & Falmouth – 28,470 (52.85%) to 25,393 (47.14%) from 53,863 votes
Note: Outside of the Duchy the Isles of Scilly voted Remain
LEAVE
St Ives (not including IoS) – 25,022 (54.25%) to 21,105 (45.75%) from 46,127 votes
Camborne & Redruth – 29,827 (55.72%) to 23,704 (44.28%) from 53,531 votes
South East Cornwall – 32,067 (58.26%) to 22,972 (41.74%) out of 55,039 votes
North Cornwall – 31,848 (59.51%) to 21,669 (39.49%) out of 53,517 votes
Newquay & St Austell – 37,508 (62.38%) to 22,620 (37.62%) out of 60,128 votes
Lingering questions: Why did Cornwall, and each area vote the way it did? What does this mean for Cornwall’s future? If Cornwall’s Remain voters are being to old “just get on with it” … what exactly is it?
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