Home   Canterbury   News   Article

Defeat for remain as voters in Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay opt to leave EU

The Canterbury district has voted by a margin of 51% to 49% to quit the European Union.

Its result closely matches the national figure of 51.9% to 48.1% - an outcome prominent remain campaigner James Flanagan described as a "crushing defeat".

The count took place at the Westgate Hall in Canterbury and was announced at 4am.

Count in Canterbury went on until the early hours of the morning.
Count in Canterbury went on until the early hours of the morning.

Mr Flanagan, the Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Canterbury and Whitstable, said: "This is, of course, a result reached through democratic mandate, which we must respect.

"Nevertheless, for us on the remain side, the it is a crushing defeat.

"One thing that became painfully clear in this campaign was the missed opportunity to explain what the EU is, what it does, what it stands for.

Crushed: Remain campaigner James Flanagan
Crushed: Remain campaigner James Flanagan

"But we should be in no doubt that our country has been divided more by this referendum than perhaps any other event in recent history."

Mr Flanagan debated the EU referendum with Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier in the run-up to the June 23 referendum.

The Conservative, who campaigned to leave, said: "I'm obviously absolutely delighted that we have voted to leave the EU."

Chuffed: Conservative MP Julian Brazier
Chuffed: Conservative MP Julian Brazier

However, Mr Brazier says he is "saddened" by the decision of Prime Minister David Cameron to resign in the autumn.

"He deserves huge credit for his victory at the election and I am proud to have served as part of his team," Mr Brazier added.

"I signed a letter hoping he would stay. But I understand the decision he made."

Barton ward Conservative city councillor Steve Williams voted to leave and says the result reflects a poor campaign by remain.

City councillor Steve Williams: Hard work ahead
City councillor Steve Williams: Hard work ahead

He said: "The reason this happened was that the remain side focused on the past.

"They kept trying to tell people what the EU had done for them rather than trying to paint a positive picture of what the future in the EU would look like. "I am very sad indeed that the Prime Minister has taken the decision to resign, but I fully understand why as he is an honourable man and he made his position clearly known. "In the interests of the UK, I don't feel it is a good thing because we will have a hasty leadership election and I think it is not beyond the bounds of possibility that we will find ourselves with an early general election."Unfortunately, when the economy of the UK sneezes, Thanet catches the cold because we are an area of high social deprivation and the moment the economy goes into a down turn, Thanet feels it more than others."I hope very much that the predictions that have been made are not realised but I fear they will be."

“What comes across most starkly of all is that it was the Labour supporters across the country who swung it in the direction of leave.

Westgate Hall was the venue for the referendum count.
Westgate Hall was the venue for the referendum count.

“I had said that whatever way Britain voted it would be OK and I’m relaxed about the future.

“But Britain has to roll its sleeves up and take this opportunity that has presented itself.

"Things are not going to change overnight and there are huge number of issues that need to be sorted out.”

Counting at the Westgate Hall, Canterbury. Picture: Barry Goodwin FM4396616
Counting at the Westgate Hall, Canterbury. Picture: Barry Goodwin FM4396616

Chris Shaw from Donegal in the Republic of Ireland lives in Canterbury’s Nunnery Fields.

The 37-year-old architectural assistant says he was left speechless by the result and fears for the future.

“I just thought it was crazy when I saw what the outcome was,” Mr Shaw told the Gazette.

“My thoughts are now turning to the future and to what the state of the country is going to be in the long term.

Counting at the Westgate Hall, Canterbury. Picture: Barry Goodwin FM4396616
Counting at the Westgate Hall, Canterbury. Picture: Barry Goodwin FM4396616

“I’m even worrying about what this means for me staying and working in the UK.

“And I can’t believe that people in Scotland and North Ireland are happy, having voted overwhelmingly to stay in.”

Herne Bay MP Sir Roger Gale campaigned to remain in the European Union.

He said: "I think it is a profoundly sad and probably bad decision, but the British public have made their view known.

Parliamentary candidate for North Thanet Sir Roger Gale
Parliamentary candidate for North Thanet Sir Roger Gale

The Right Reverend Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover and the bishop in Canterbury, called for people divided by the referendum to come together.

He said: "This decision has challenged much of our well established political rhetoric and practice.

"The closeness of the vote reveals strongly held views on the right way forward for our country but now we must begin the vital process of coming together.

Bishop Trevor Wilmott: "Church leaders and their congregations should remain alert, not alarmed."
Bishop Trevor Wilmott: "Church leaders and their congregations should remain alert, not alarmed."

"Whatever our views on Europe, we have a duty to continue to bear with one another in love, to seek to welcome the stranger and care for the refugee whatever our future immigration policies.

"Let us pray for grace and wisdom for the tasks that lie ahead."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More