Local Politics

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St Austell and Newquay Constituency

Background of St Austell and Newquay

The postcode TR7 2DP is located in St Austell and Newquay, a UK parliament constituency represented in the House of Commons by Steve Double MP of the Conservative party.

St Austell and Newquay is a parliamentary constituency situated in Cornwall, South West England. Created in 2010, it combines the towns of St Austell and Newquay, and includes a mix of coastal and inland areas. Historically, the constituency has alternated between Conservative and Liberal Democrat representation, reflecting the fluctuating political landscape of the region.

Demographically, St Austell and Newquay is broadly representative of Cornwall, with a population comprising predominantly white British residents. The area is characterised by a mix of urban, semi-rural, and rural communities. Key economic sectors include tourism, particularly in Newquay with its beaches and surf culture, agriculture, and fishing. St Austell is noted for its service sector and remnants of the clay mining industry.

The electorate size was approximately 72,000 in the 2019 general election. The voters in St Austell and Newquay tend to be older than the national average, reflecting the tendency for people to retire to Cornwall. The constituency has also faced challenges related to socio-economic deprivation, with pockets of low income and high unemployment.

Regarding Brexit, the constituency voted strongly in favour of leaving the European Union in the 2016 referendum, with about 64% of voters opting for Leave. This stance is consistent with Cornwall's overall support for Brexit, influenced by concerns over EU regulations impacting fishing and agriculture, as well as broader issues of national sovereignty.

St Austell and Newquay exemplifies a traditional Cornish constituency with deep-seated economic ties to its natural environment, a complex political history, and significant engagement in national issues like Brexit.

Brexit

Did St Austell and Newquay vote for Brexit?

In the 2016 EU referendum, the constituents of St Austell and Newquay voted to leave the EU. This could be attributed to a variety of reasons, including concerns about immigration, sovereignty, and the perceived impact of EU regulations on local businesses and communities. Some voters in this coastal constituency may have felt disconnected from decisions made in Brussels and saw Brexit as an opportunity to take back control. Others may have been influenced by a desire to regain control over borders and trade policy. These factors likely played a role in shaping the outcome of the vote in this region.