A BREAKDOWN of how Worcester residents in each of the 15 city council wards voted in last year’s EU referendum has been revealed.
The figures obtained by Freedom of Information request specialist and journalist Martin Rosenbaum, found nine wards voted leave and just six voted remain in last June’s historic vote.
Overall Worcester voted to leave the European Union by 53 per cent to 46 per cent, which was broadly in line with the UK result, but the ward-by-ward data reveals stark differences in how areas of the city voted.
The Cathedral ward had the highest remain vote in the city, with 58 per cent of residents there voting for the UK to stay in the EU.
In contrast, the highest leave vote in the city was Gorse Hill where 74 per cent of residents wanted the UK to leave the EU.
In many other areas of Worcester the vote was much tighter, including Warndon Parish North which voted remain by just 10 votes while in Warndon Parish South the remain vote narrowly won by just 14 votes.
Speaking to the Observer, Coun Joy Squires, who represents the Arboretum ward which had the second highest remain vote, said the result was to be expected.
“I expected Arboretum to vote remain as it is diverse with people from all walks of life and different countries,” Coun Squires said.
“Most people I spoke to in the ward during the referendum said that staying in the European Union was important to them.
“There are Eastern Europeans in Arboretum who are concerned about what their status will be once we do leave.”
Coun Roger Berry, who represents Gorse Hill, said many residents in his ward voted for the first time because they believed their vote would make a difference.
“I believe many people in Gorse Hill voted out because it would solve the inherent problems they are facing today, including benefit cuts.
“The vote was a sold rejection of the current Government.
“As a remainer I was of course disappointed. A lot of people also voted who wouldn’t usually. I think they believed their vote would change the future,” he added.
