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Original poster

The people of Swindon: do they regret voting for Brexit?

456 replies

EddyF · 18/02/2019 19:07

With the closure of Honda - closing their Swindon plant, with the loss of 3,500 jobs, which the firm has attributed to Brexit, I wonder if the people of Swindon are having regrets since they were from the leave camp.

Reminds me of those who voted for Trump knowing his policies were targeted at them but felt they somehow were exempt. Like the Mexican man and his US wife voting for Trump then crying on the news he had been deported/couldn't get back in when he was out of the country.

I'm finding it really difficult sympathising with those who voted to leave by not looking at their own circumstances, but rather, other people. Majority of the people I have heard from who voted leave (from fb, and so on) they only cared about immigration. They thought leaving meant a 'clear up' taking hardly into account their own future and that of their children.

I'm sorry to the people in Swindon, but they did it to themselves.

And before people say "there wasn't enough information" there was enough to determine that we did not know what the 'deal' was.

I can't link article for Honda but it's everywhere on news sites.

OP posts:
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AllTheJingleLadies · 18/02/2019 23:36

I know 3 people who openly supported leave and they are all migrants 🤦🏻‍♀️, one from the EU and 2 on marriage visas, now naturalised. I can't even

glueandstick · 18/02/2019 23:38

A massive blow to a town that can ill afford it. The place is a mess with very little going for it if you’re being truthful. This won’t help in the slightest.

TheHobbitMum · 18/02/2019 23:48

I've not read all the comments but I can say for sure that Brexit has had a huge impact on the decision for Honda to stop production at Swindon. The EU-Japan trade deal was the final nail in the coffin, why would they stay when they get a better deal out of the UK?

There is a hell of a lot more than just the factory staff losing their jobs because of this as there are far more indirect staff than direct especially throughout mainland Europe.

Whatever the reason its ridiculous to say that Swindon deserves this! Myself & DH voted to remain and yet were going to lose the main wage earner in our household when Honda closes. Its a shit day for many and no-one deserved this whatever they voted!

TheHobbitMum · 18/02/2019 23:49

This is a devastating blow to Swindon though and I'm not sure how it will recover

ContinuityError · 18/02/2019 23:50

I worked there in the late 80s, preparing the site for Honda.

But hey ho, apparently it was just to provide a workplace for people to be overpaid.

getback · 18/02/2019 23:51

And flybmi have been averaging 18 passengers per flight for over 3 years.

But they weren’t flying large capacity planes from hub airports either? (Max capacity was 49)

Yes flying 18 people on a plane that seats 49 is hugely profitable Confused

ContinuityError · 18/02/2019 23:56

No it’s not - but neither is it flying 18 people on a 180 seater.

Context helps.

dreichuplands · 19/02/2019 00:00

gth the current conservative government has no interest in business, it is far too focused on its Brexit ideology to actually put the needs of business first.
I'm not saying Labour would be any better right enough.
The Japanese car manufacturers arrived at a time that governments took the needs of big businesses far more seriously.

littlemissquiet · 19/02/2019 00:13

I think to call leavers thick is just condescending! I voted remain but I'm growing tired of extreme remainers labelling leavers thick or racist! You will find any problem and blame brexit but this country was in trouble way before this, yes there is now uncertainty but nobody really knows for sure what is going to happen! I don't consider people wanting stricter borders racist, otherwise we could argue the whole of Australia are because of how they control theirs. I do think that you extreme remain camp patronise and belittle leavers at every given opportunity, I voted remain plain and simply because I wasn't convinced of what was being promised, but I would never talk down to someone else that voted differently or call them thick and racist, you sound thick saying that and very narrow minded because like all of us we don't know how this is going to pan out, one day you may well be thankful for brexit?

Heratnumber7 · 19/02/2019 00:30

A) Dyson is not moving it's business out of Malmrsbury.. The head office function is moving to be closer to emerging markets

B) Honda are moving their manufacture back to Japan, not to another EU country. The EU has just signed a trade deal with Japan so it's now cheaper to assemble cars on Homda's home turf and ship complete cars to the EU. With that, and the fall in diesel sales worldwide, The company would have made the same decision where ever in Europe it assembled cars.

DippyAvocado · 19/02/2019 00:30

The wonderful thing about being a Brexiteer ( I know this because my dad is one) is that you never have to admit you were wrong, whatever happens.

Nail on the head. What is it about Brexit that has created this? If people had bought a product that turned out to be nothing like advertised and would actually cost them money they would kick up a massive stink and return it. But with Brexit, whatever new turd-shape it takes, however many job-losses it causes, we are all happy with it, it's just what we were expecting, even though it is nothing like we were promised. It really is like some sort of weird cult.

Roxyxoxo · 19/02/2019 01:12

) Honda are moving their manufacture back to Japan, not to another EU country. The EU has just signed a trade deal with Japan so it's now cheaper to assemble cars on Homda's home turf and ship complete cars to the EU. With that, and the fall in diesel sales worldwide, The company would have made the same decision where ever in Europe it assembled cars.

This.

It would have happened with or without Brexit, and the EU would have known the implications of agreeing to the trade deal would likely mean closures elsewhere. It’s a shame for the workers, hopefully someone else will utilise the site in some form.

tankie76 · 19/02/2019 06:46

The vast majority of Brexit voters in Swindon are not employed by Honda, so this will not affect them.

Helmetbymidnight · 19/02/2019 07:08

its not just the 3500 jobs in Honda that will go. It's about the companies in the supply chain, the cleaning staff, security, taxi drivers, coffee shops etc - in a town like Swindon there are lots of jobs there because Honda is there.

not to worry- ive heard brexiteers argue recently that only companies directly involved in import and export will be affected by brexit. all other workers will be fine, see.

two and a half years ago, brexiteers were telling us about the brilliant trade deals we would get Grin and the prosperity on its way (check out the threads on here!).

anything negative was 'project fear' and whinging remainers etc etc.
how times have changed:
now its 'we will survive' and when companies who said they would leave, leave or collapse- its nothing to do with brexit of course.

fascinating psychology.

surferjet · 19/02/2019 07:13

It’s funny how remainers keep talking down the UK, yet EU citizens are queing round the block to apply for their settled status papers.
Hmmm......

SquiddyMcSquidford · 19/02/2019 07:13

What is it about Brexit that has created this? If people had bought a product that turned out to be nothing like advertised and would actually cost them money they would kick up a massive stink and return it. But with Brexit, whatever new turd-shape it takes, however many job-losses it causes, we are all happy with it, it's just what we were expecting, even though it is nothing like we were promised. It really is like some sort of weird cult.

Agree 100%

Helmetbymidnight · 19/02/2019 07:15

'talking down the uk' says the brexiteer who admits she doesnt give a fuck about the economy.

surferjet · 19/02/2019 07:18

Thing is Helmetbymidnight EU migrants/ immigrants are desperate to stay here, DESPERATE - & you all know it.

stayingaliveisawayoflife · 19/02/2019 07:21

I am from Swindon but now live in London. I was very depressed to read many of my Swindon friends views about Brexit. Many just quoted the immigration views and said how once the immigrants are gone there will be more jobs and no queues to see a doctor. This from the residents of a town with low unemployment.

I have spoken to some of these friends just yesterday and they are devastated. They are already looking for new jobs but are competing with the rest of the 5,000 plus that will also be affected. They feel especially let down by local councillors who promised a safer future out of the EU.

I know some people will say small town mentality so deal with it but they are not alone and this won't be a one off. I am so sad to see my home town lose out again. The commuter estates will still be fine but the old parts of Swindon will decay further.

Helmetbymidnight · 19/02/2019 07:22

well of course they are- this is their home.

youre the one who wants to fuck over this country not them.

Deadbudgie · 19/02/2019 07:24

Mumsnet at its finest!

The production is being taken back to Japan (because of worldwide trading conditions re the automotive sector - worldwide, ie inc the bit of the planet outside the all hallowed EU). Fancy that, a country wanting to protect its own economy over supporting another one!

Is every failing business going to blamed on Brexit now??? By mumsnet yes. Because obviously no business has ever failed in the EU. Nobody has ever been made redundant. Look at all the protests in France - obviously the pinnical of employment.

Helmetbymidnight · 19/02/2019 07:24

Thing is Helmetbymidnight EU migrants/ immigrants are desperate to stay here, DESPERATE - & you all know it.

and what is your point actually? that people whove lived here for years dont want to leave? what exactly are you trying to say?

surferjet · 19/02/2019 07:26

But it’s not their country - they’ve come here, some of them fairly recently, from other EU countries - and despite me fucking over their choosen new place to live, they still want to stay.
Funny that.

Peregrina · 19/02/2019 07:29

Why are EU citizens looking for settled status? If they have a GB spouse and children, it's a no brainer - it's either that, risk splitting the family or they all have to emigrate. Not that surferjet would either know nor care; hatred of the EU trumps family stability, going by her posts.

We have also seen the form that the Home Office has, with the Windrush scandal - British subjects that we invited to live and work here to help rebuild our shattered economy after the war - so we know that without a root and branch reform the Home Office can't be trusted.

surferjet · 19/02/2019 07:29

My point is, the majority of people you spend your every waking hour preeching to aren’t that affected by brexit, the people who will be, are too busy applying to stay here.