“To Brexit or not to Brexit?”
It’s a question that still divides the United Kingdom and the parliament that rules over it - no more so than in Stratford-Upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
During the referendum campaign, both sides claimed Shakespeare would have backed their cause.
But the local result mirrored the nationwide outcome; roughly 52 per cent leave, 48 per cent remain. That’s despite the fact it’s a town very much reliant on overseas visitors.
Carol Wheeler will be voting for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party. Source: SBS News
Carol Wheeler works in the Edinburgh Woolen Mills, one of the many shops selling local products to tourists.
She’s voting for Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party in the December election, believing he is the only leader who can guarantee a "complete" Brexit.
“It’s split the country, I know it has, but I think we should go with what the people originally voted for in the referendum,” she told SBS News.
“I think the country can heal itself, it would have done so quicker if it [Brexit] happened when it should have happened.”
She’s not the only one switching allegiance to Mr Farage in this normally safe Conservative seat.
Michel Stefanyszyn, who was lending a hand in his friend’s antiques shop, said he’ll be supporting the Brexit Party too, but admits the issue of the UK’s departure from the EU is still causing friction within families.
Michel Stefanyszyn will be supporting the Brexit Party. Source: SBS News
“I have a nephew who’s worked abroad in Holland, obviously he’s worked in Europe for over three years now, he has a completely different opinion to my own,” he said.
“My brother, he lives in this country, but he supports the European Union. We’ve had many arguments over it, that’s how divided people are.”
Magda Strazak has a very different point of view.
She moved to the UK from Poland more than a decade ago and runs a popular vegan café.
Magda Strazak moved to the UK from Poland and won't be able to vote. Source: SBS News
An EU national, she couldn’t vote in the referendum and won’t be able to in the upcoming election either. She says it’s frustrating not being able to have a say.
“Basically people around me they decide what’s going on,” she said.
“Obviously for the reason, this isn’t my country, it was my choice to come here, but I call this place my home and I would like to have a right to decide.”
One thing nearly everyone agrees on though is that Brexit is a drama that’s been running far too long.
Normally a Conservative voter, Mike Evans says he doesn’t trust Boris Johnson, so will back the anti-Brexit Liberal Democrats.
But he believes its time for the whole saga to come to an end.
Mike Evans says he doesn’t trust Boris Johnson. Source: SBS News
“I think it’s getting to a stage now where I was 'remain', but we are where we are and we have to unite now,” he said.
“A divisive country is a dangerous place to be and I don’t want to be in a place where politics is quite personal and dangerous.”
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