Britain's EU vote: #Brexit view from Bury
This report is part of a series on community views about the June 23 referendum on whether the United Kingdom should exit the European Union.
BURY, England — This former factory town in Lancashire in north west England is known for reliably reflecting political feeling across the country, and two-thirds of Bury Times readers support leaving the European Union.
According to a poll on the Bury Times website last month, asking "Should Britain leave the EU?," 73% were in favor and 27% were against Brexit or a British exit from the EU. One hundred and eighty votes were cast. Britain's referendum on EU membership will be held on June 23.
Bury's local government was controlled by the Conservative Party throughout most of Margaret Thatcher's tenure as prime minister in the 1980s. When Tony Blair served as prime minister from 1997-2007 it was run by his center-left Labour Party. The Conservatives regained control in 2008, then lost it in 2010.
While Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives hold power at the national level, Bury tends to vote the way the nation votes in general elections.
Bury has a population of more than 180,000 and is known as the hometown of Sir Robert Peel, who twice served as prime minister in the 19th century. He also created London's Metropolitan Police service. The main source of employment, as with many former factory towns in Britain, has changed from manufacturing to the service industry.
About 90% of residents are white, and there is a large Jewish community in the Prestwich and Whitefield areas of the town, as well as a significant Muslim population.
Damon Warburton, the owner of a local butcher shop, believes people in Bury would be better off out of the 28-nation political bloc.
"I want to be out of Europe and not for any reason in particular, but more because I think we should just control our own country, instead of being governed by the EU," he said.
Mohammed Ahmed, who has run a store selling luggage in Bury Market Hall for 20 years, was less certain.
“I still need to do a bit more reading up on the referendum to make up my mind. At the minute, I think we should stay in the EU but have tighter border controls," he said.
However, contributing to the debate via the Bury Times' Facebook page, Richard Hearne said he was sure he would be voting stay in the EU.
"Just for the freedom to travel and work freely in Europe. What a privilege that is. Brits use (the EU's freedom of movement laws) as much as Europeans coming to our country."
Bury's two elected members of Parliament disagree on what should happen.
Labour Bury South MP Ivan Lewis, who is seeking to become the first elected mayor of Greater Manchester, is a strong supporter of staying within the EU. But Conservative Bury North MP David Nuttall is an ardent backer of the leave campaign.
"Britain should not be turning away from Europe and the three million jobs that are linked to trade with Europe. Leaving the EU will put these jobs at risk," said Lewis.
“The EU ensures countries cooperate together on a daily basis making such conflicts far less likely and strengthening peace and stability.”
Nuttall said: "I believe the United Kingdom would not only survive but we would actually thrive if we left the European Union. I trust the British people not to be taken in by the scare stories of war and economic ruin" from those who want to remain.
The Bury Times contacted about a dozen Bury businesses which export to Europe and the wider world to gauge their opinion on the issue, but very few were willing to comment publicly. Many said this was in fear of becoming embroiled in a fierce debate that has divided the country.
The latest national poll by YouGov, an online research firm, shows 43% want to remain in the EU and 42% leave.
Charlie Cornish, the chief executive of the Manchester Airport Group, said the EU has been good for vacationers because it means cheaper tickets for passengers, less costly cell phone charges and protections for when flights are cancelled.
But Gordon Oliver, finance director of James Halstead, a manufacturer and distributor of commercial floor coverings that employs about 1,000 people worldwide with around half of those in Greater Manchester, said he doesn't expect the company's performance to be affected either way.