Voters across the Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge area have voted to leave the EU in this week’s landmark EU referendum.
Across Sedgemoor, there were 41,869 votes to leave and 26,545 votes to remain, as the UK backed Brexit.
Burnham-On-Sea’s MP James Heappey said it had been an “extraordinary night with an even more extraordinary day to come.”
He told Burnham-On-Sea.com this morning: “Locally, the Wells Constituency is split with Mendip voting to remain and Sedgemoor voting to leave. Similarly, whilst the national result is clear, it is still only a shade away from 50/50. There will be some very difficult times ahead as the world reacts to our decision so now is the time to come together, respect the result as final and get on with making it work.”
“All sorts of issues will need to be grappled with. Sinn Fein are already talking about a referendum in Northern Ireland and the SNP will be watching the oil price before working out what to do in Scotland. We will have a turbulent few weeks on the stock exchange and in the currency markets too.”
“But the country has spoken and we will be leaving the EU. I have not the slightest doubt that whatever happens in the near future, our great country will succeed.”
The landslide victory for leave campaigners in Sedgemoor was welcomed by a delighted Helen Hims, who led the local Leave campaign.
She told Burnham-On-Sea.com this morning: “I am absolutely delighted and so proud of our country and its people for being brave enough to make this happen.”
“We are no longer just a province of the European Union’s empire. We’re no longer just a star on somebody else’s flag!”
“We can now resume our rightful place among the great nations of the world.”
Several polling stations in Burnham and Highbridge reported 70% turnouts – bigger than last year’s General Election.
Counting of the local results took place in Bridgwater, with the district result for Sedgemoor announced at 4.45am.
In Sedgemoor, 61 per cent of the votes were to leave the EU. There were also a total of 36 ballot papers rejected, one for having no official mark, 13 for having both answers selected, one where the writing or mark allowed the voter to be identified, and 21 unmarked or void for uncertainty.
