Wales No Longer Backs Brexit

 Wales No Longer Backs Brexit(You Gov Poll) as new research shows devastating impact leaving EU on Welsh Economy   

A new poll by You Gov of almost 1,000 people across Wales finds that 51 per cent of voters in Wales would vote now to remain, compared to 49 per cent who would vote to leave.

The poll comes as new research by the London School of Economics shows the reduction in Gross Domestic Product will lead to an average loss per person in Pembrokeshire after 10 years of £183 per annum due to a soft Brexit and £330 per annum due to a hard Brexit.[1] This is in addition to the cost of higher inflation which was an extra £389 per household in Wales each year compared with the Eurozone since the Brexit vote.[2]

Research Highlights impact on Tourism

The research covers the impact on tourism, a cornerstone of the Pembrokeshire economy. There were 637,000 tourists to Wales from Europe in 2014 (68% of all international visits).[3] Some used our ports such as Fishguard and Pembroke Dock. We cannot risk losing tourists through delays at our borders. In addition, Welsh tourist attractions and businesses will find it harder to employ seasonal staff from abroad. Over 130,000 people in Wales are directly employed in tourism as their main or second jobs.[4]

Brexit and our beaches

Pembrokeshire is justly proud of our world famous coastline and beaches. However, huge sections of Welsh coastline were too polluted for swimming until EU legal action forced the government to clean up. Today, after legal action from the EU and directives on bathing water and urban waste water, 99% of the UK’s 632 designated beaches have been deemed safe for swimming.

The Blue Flag programme, which awards blue flags to the cleanest beaches with good visitor facilities,is supported by the EU. Many Pembrokeshire beaches attained a Blue Flag in 2018: Broad Haven, Lydstep, Amroth, Newgale, Saundersfoot, Dale, Whitesands, Coppet Hall, Tenby North, South and Castle andPoppit Sands West.

[1] LSE – The Local Economic Effects of Brexit

[2] Office of National Statistics (ONS)

[3] ONS 2016

[4] Annual Population Survey 2016

Alistair Cameron from Pembrokeshire for Europe said:

“This research underlines what we already know – that Pembrokeshire is particularly vulnerable to Brexit due to our reliance on tourism, farming and our ferry links with Ireland at Fishguard and Pembroke Dock.

“Yesterday, Owen Smith MP (Labour), Jane Dodds (Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats), Hywel Williams MP (Plaid Cymru), GutoBebb MP (Conservative) together with representatives from the National College of Midwives, National Union of Students and the owner of a small business in Glamorganall spoke passionately at the Glee Club, Cardiff in favour of a People’s Vote. We must give people the chance to have their say through a People’s Vote once we know the terms for leaving.”

Contact / Cyswllt

For further information, please contact Alistair Cameron on 07901 564616 or at pembrokeshire@walesforeurope.org.