More than two thirds of people in the North of England are just as confident or more confident about Brexit a year after the landmark vote, research published on the anniversary of the referendum shows. In the poll by think tank Policy North, respondents were asked whether they were more or less confident about Britain’s future post-Brexit than they were immediately after the referendum result in June 2016. The survey of more than 2,000 people found that 68 per cent of people in the North of England were either just as confident or more confident about Brexit.
In Yorkshire and Humber, 71 per cent were equally or more confident about Brexit a year on. In the North East, 68 per cent of those surveyed were while just over 64 per cent of those in the North West were confident. Commenting on the figures, Stephen Purvis, Chair of Policy North said: “These figures show that there is still huge confidence in the North of England in the opportunities Brexit offers the region. “Right across the North West, North East and Yorkshire and Humber there was widespread support to leave the European Union. Out of 125 areas, just eleven voted to remain. “A year on from the EU referendum and people in the North Of England are eager to seize the opportunities offered by Brexit. It is absolutely vital that the Government gets a clean, swift Brexit so that businesses in the north can benefit from this once in a lifetime opportunity to stimulate growth and investment in the region.
“The north can thrive postBrexit by embracing new ideas – a free trade zone in the region, developing business relations with thriving economies including the Gulf states and growing industries in the north including Fintech and Biotech. “The Northern Powerhouse is over. Brexit brings global opportunities and it is time for policy makers to focus their efforts on developing a truly Global North.”
