Brexit & the Referendum
What year was the Brexit referendum held in the United Kingdom?
2016
How many countries make up the United Kingdom, and can you name them?
Four: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Which age group was most likely to vote Leave?
Older voters, especially over 65s
Did attitudes toward immigration soften or harden in the years before and after the Brexit vote?
Attitudes generally softened before and after, except attitudes toward Islam hardened post-2016
What is a “culture war”?
A conflict between groups over cultural values and identities
What are the two main groups that resulted from the Brexit debate?
Leavers (Brexiters) and Remainers
Which part of the UK voted most strongly to Remain in the EU?
Scotland (62% Remain), and also Northern Ireland (56% Remain)
Which factor, besides age, most influenced how people voted in the referendum-education or birthplace?
Education
Which report is cited for analyzing the divide in attitudes about immigration (from 2011–2018)?
Hope Not Hate
What was the main focus of the divisive debates described in the handout?
Brexit, immigration, national identity, and history
What was the split percentage between Leave and Remain in the vote?
52% Leave, 48% Remain
Which large UK city is known for being cosmopolitan and pro-Remain?
London
What term describes voters in old industrial towns who felt neglected by politicians?
The “left-behinds”
What is a “multicultural” population, according to the Hope Not Hate report?
Communities with people of different backgrounds and often near universities or major cities
According to surveys, does the media exaggerate or downplay the sense of division in the UK?
Media often exaggerates the perception of division
What is a “Division” in the context of the House of Commons?
A “Division” is when MPs vote by physically walking to either the Aye or No lobbies in the House of Commons
What is the difference between “Great Britain” and the “United Kingdom”?
Great Britain = England, Scotland, Wales; United Kingdom = those three plus Northern Ireland
What was a common sentiment among young people after the referendum?
Anger that their futures were decided by older generations
Which UK areas are more likely to oppose immigration: cities or post-industrial towns?
Post-industrial towns and some city outskirts
Name one issue often included in American “culture wars” that is less debated in the UK.
Gun laws, abortion, and gay marriage are more divisive in the U.S. and less in the UK
Name one major issue that was not directly settled by the referendum result.
Whether the UK would stay in the Single Market; customs union status; rights of EU citizens in UK/EU
Which area in England is associated with “traditional Tory heartland”?
Southern England
What two major parties have traditionally dominated British politics?
Labour Party and Conservative Party (Tories)
What did the report identify as a possible solution for communities hostile to immigration?
What historic event in Bristol was referenced as part of the UK’s debate on past injustices?
Toppling of the statue of Sir Edward Colston by Black Lives Matter protesters (2020)