Wisbech and coastal towns such as Great Yarmouth and Sheringham look set to be battlegrounds for convincing the electorate to stay in the EEC, according a new poll.
In a survey across East Anglia conducted by our sister papers, the Eastern Daily Press and the East Anglian Daily Times, the areas where UKIP did best in recent elections have shown to be the most Eurosceptic.
The overall EU referendum poll – which included Norfolk, Suffolk, Fenland and north Essex – saw 38 per cent of the 1,280 people polled stating they wanted to leave, while 34 per cent wanted to remain and 28 per cent were unsure
Swaffham had the highest proportion of people who would vote to leave, with 67 per cent of those questioned saying they wanted to come out of the European Union.
In Great Yarmouth, Sheringham and Wisbech, more than half of those quizzed said they did not want to stay in the alliance.
Norwich was the least Eurosceptic, with 64 per cent opting to stay in.
The people of Fakenham were the most indecisive with 55 per cent saying they did not know what they would do in our poll.
Nigel Lynn, 69, is retired and lives in Wisbech. He said: “As well for trading, I do think the union is a good thing. I feel that because we’re united that prevents the European countries ever going to war with each other again.”
Sandra Skinner, 61, who is retired and also lives in Wisbech, said: “I think we should get out. I saw somewhere that £65m goes out of this country each week and we need it here, for our own roads and our own hospital. I didn’t want us to go in there in the first place, and now is definitely the time to leave.”
Full-time mum Raminta Kelpsaite, 39, who lives in Yarmouth town centre, said she was from Estonia so free movement had benefitted her, but said she could see why Britons wanted a vote.
“In my country we wanted out of the Soviet Union and then we were quite happy, but then the EU takes over as a new big body.
“When richer countries have to support poorer countries, I can see why that is not always what they want.”
Bob White, 64, who lives in North Walsham where he also owns a shop, will be voting to leave the EU.
“I don’t see it as a party-political question. It’s about the identity of the country - the way people feel about it. We are not in control of our own destiny, we have to double-check and get permission from the EU.
“For businesses, we have to implement rules and regulations not made by our parliament, which weakens our parliament.
“There’s also the huge expense of the EU parliament - it’s an unnecessary level of bureaucracy which costs an incredible amount of money.”
William Brown, 17, is a student from Clenchwarton, near King’s Lynn. He said: “We should stay in the EU because if we were ever to get into trouble, like what happened with Greece last year, I’d like to think that the EU would also help us out. I think it’s important for our country’s economic security, if not now, then for the future.”
Brian Young, 67, retiree from Thetford said: “I think we should vote to leave. I want us to be able to control immigration. If we cannot control our borders and the amount of immigration, I would vote to leave.”
Matthew Nurse, 30, works in retail and lives in Grimston, near King’s Lynn. He said: “I personally think that we put more in than we get out of it. We all hear that other countries get the benefits. Enough is enough - we should leave.”
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