The streets of Boston, Lincolnshire's erstwhile heartland of Leave support, still harbour a sense of unease and disillusionment nearly a decade after the 2016 Brexit referendum. With an astonishing 75.6% of its electorate voting to sever ties with Brussels – more than double the national average of 51.9% – this small town's decision was driven by concerns over immigration and its perceived strain on local services.
Long-time business owners, like Michael Wood, who runs a café in the town centre, admit their initial conviction remains unshaken but express disappointment with the post-Brexit landscape. 'I've got no regrets about voting Leave,' Wood says firmly, 'but I think it's been botched.' He advocates for stricter immigration controls and believes that Brexit has failed to deliver its promised benefits in a timely manner, citing a lack of investment in local infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, and GP services.
Figures from Nomis reveal the scale of demographic change in Boston. Between 2001 and 2011, the proportion of EU citizens living in the borough rose dramatically – from 0.7% to 12.2% of the local population. By 2021, this figure had almost doubled, with 20% of residents being non-UK born, amounting to over 14,000 individuals. This influx, largely driven by job opportunities in agriculture and manufacturing, has brought both economic benefits and anxieties about the capacity of local services.
However, those who have settled in Boston from overseas highlight their contributions to the community. Daiva Razguniene, a Lithuanian-born entrepreneur, built a thriving bakery business after initially working in a factory. She recalls feeling anxious during the referendum period but is now 'very thankful' to her adopted country. Razguniene underscores the economic value of immigrants like herself, pointing out that they pay taxes and bills without seeking benefits.
Local politicians continue to grapple with the ongoing dissatisfaction. Richard Tice, Reform UK's MP for Boston and Skegness, believes his constituents would again vote Leave if given the chance but sees no appetite for another referendum. He attributes the current mood to a sense of betrayal over unfulfilled Brexit promises. Matt Warman, the former Conservative MP for the area who voted Remain, acknowledges that Brexit was always a gamble but notes that many feel their aspirations were not met. He highlights the local focus on immigration and sovereignty but questions whether these goals have been fully achieved.