Solihull backs leaving the EU

A MAJORITY of Solihull voters backed leaving the European Union (EU) in yesterday's referendum.

Out of the 121,950 people who cast their ballot papers, 56 per cent (68,484) voted in favour of Britain quitting the 28-nation bloc. Over three quarters of eligible voters made the trip to the polling station. 

While results for Solihull's individual wards have not been made public, it's understood that even within the borough there were varying degrees of support.

Councillor Chris Williams (Green, Chelmsley Wood) tweeted that in some of the 17 wards the contest was close, while admitting that in others it was a case of "spot the Remain vote."

The results, which were declared in the early hours of this morning, reflected a wider vein of Eurosceptic feeling throughout the Midlands.

Across the region, the overwhelming majority of council areas backed Brexit, with Warwick and the Cotswolds the only areas where a majority supported remaining part of the EU.

It is thought that the groundswell of support for leaving in traditional working class communities may have swung the crucial vote in favour of the UK departing the institution it joined 43 years ago. 

Politicians from the two sides of the debate reacted to the news with either shock or delight.

Meriden MP Caroline Spelman, who was among the Tory backbenchers who supported remaining in the EU, said she was concerned about what impact the outcome would have on the region's economy.
"I accept the democratic result of the referendum and will do all I can to help my constituency and my country navigate this historic change," she said.

Councillor Debbie Evans (UKIP, Kingshurst & Fordbridge) paid tribute to the work of local activists and said that the result would allow Britain to become "a true democracy."