City’s referendum voting paradox

One thing that has puzzled me ever since the EU referendum is the result for Canterbury. When most university cities voted to Remain, why did

In this year’s European referendum, while Canterbury and Whitstable’s current MP Julian Brazier supported the Leave campaign, his constituents voted to Remain.

Figures from the city council following a Freedom of Information request show there were 30,677 votes for Remain and 27,473 votes for Leave.

This is a pro-eu majority of 3,204, a 52.74% to 47.26% vote against the current Conservative MP.

This, we believe, can partly be explained by the constituency’s cultural and economic ties with Europe.

In attacking the High Court ruling on Article 50, Mr Brazier remarked that “Parliament is a representation of the people, so why do we need to ask Parliament to trigger Article 50 if the Prime Minister has been given the instruction from the British people themselves?”

That is, the Prime Minister is already obliged to respect the will of her constituents, so she does not need the consent of Parliament. Yet, as the MP of Canterbury and Whitstable, Mr Brazier is thus obliged to respect the will of the people he represents. We voted to remain in the EU by nearly five percentage points.

It may appear at first glance that Mr Brazier’s constituents agreed with him: in the European voting area of Canterbury, Leave won by two percentage points.

However, the parliamentary constituency that Mr Brazier is responsible for includes only Canterbury, Whitstable, and their surroundings.

The FOI request to Kent County Council reveals that the tally for the EU referendum in the Canterbury area was broken down into four regions: Canterbury, Whitstable, Herne Bay, and rural surroundings.

Herne Bay, a Leave stronghold, is not a part of Brazier’s parliamentary constituency: removing this area from the tally reveals that Remain actually won in Brazier’s constituency by more than 3,000 votes.

This result should come as no adversely effected if the numbers surprise given the presence of declined. the two larger universitiesFollow Paul in on the Twitter @ Stronger borders will require greater constituency, which Paulonpoliticsbetween themfor all Kent’s control. political employ about 5,000 news workersand gossip. and enrol Greater control will require new about 33,000 students. systems, infrastructure and the

Not to mention numerous small training of increased staff numbers. and medium businesses whose We must lobby through our MPS and sustainability relies on dependable local councils for this to be high on the trade with the EU. list of priorities.

The University of Kent has styled Tourists will continue to visit if the itself as “The UK’S European trip is not a hassle. We do not want a University” with about one in last-minute realisation and resultant nine students being from other EU queues. We need planning, allowing countries and £13.8m acquired in smooth operation from day one. European research grants over the David Hirst last five years. city councilor (Ukip)

As UKC is the largest employer in Rectory Lane, Upper Hardres the Canterbury area, the expected fall in international students and research funding would be very damaging to the Canterbury economy.

During these uncertain times, the people of the Canterbury and Whitstable constituency deserve an MP who represents our close ties with the European Union. Mike Bland and Simon Warley Prospective KCC Candidates (Labour)

We are moving towards leaving the Economic Union, one way or another.

Recent surveys have revealed the number of tourists visiting the city of Canterbury.

We can clearly see trade in the city and indeed districts would be involving re-paving and removal of three mature trees. To say that I am confused would be a masterpiece of understatement!

I wonder if anyone else is as angry as I am about the views of the council on what should be a priority in its spending plans? Jeremy Spon Iffin Lane, Canterbury