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EU referendum: Tatton voters split over Osborne's future | EU referendum: Tatton voters split over Osborne's future |
(about 17 hours later) | |
George Osborne usually cuts a popular figure in his Cheshire constituency. But how has the UK's vote to leave the European Union affected perceptions of the chancellor? | George Osborne usually cuts a popular figure in his Cheshire constituency. But how has the UK's vote to leave the European Union affected perceptions of the chancellor? |
Winning 58% of the Tatton vote in the 2015 general election, you might think sympathy for the Remain-campaigning minister would have stayed strong. | Winning 58% of the Tatton vote in the 2015 general election, you might think sympathy for the Remain-campaigning minister would have stayed strong. |
But as Mr Osborne battles through arguably the most vulnerable point in his career, opinion in the Cheshire East borough is as divided as the nation with 51.2% of his constituents voting to leave the EU, and 48.8% choosing remain. | |
Some Leave voters have blasted the chancellor for presiding over what they say was a lacklustre Remain campaign. | Some Leave voters have blasted the chancellor for presiding over what they say was a lacklustre Remain campaign. |
Others admit they would like to see him help steer the government through the choppy waters of the post-Brexit seascape - although Mr Osborne has said he will not enter the contest to succeed David Cameron as Conservative leader. | |
'Little bit rubbish' | 'Little bit rubbish' |
Medical student Pippa, from Knutsford, said the referendum result had left her "furious", and is worried about the impact on medical research. | Medical student Pippa, from Knutsford, said the referendum result had left her "furious", and is worried about the impact on medical research. |
She said she did not want to "slag off" Mr Osborne, but believed his Remain drive failed because it did not appeal to "disadvantaged, working class people". | She said she did not want to "slag off" Mr Osborne, but believed his Remain drive failed because it did not appeal to "disadvantaged, working class people". |
"Both campaigns were a little bit rubbish," she added. | "Both campaigns were a little bit rubbish," she added. |
Critical comments are easier to find among Leave voters, who freely lambast the chancellor's role in a campaign dubbed Project Fear by some. | Critical comments are easier to find among Leave voters, who freely lambast the chancellor's role in a campaign dubbed Project Fear by some. |
Pipe fitter and Leave voter Dave Hawkins said Mr Osborne's handling of the campaign was "absolutely disastrous". | Pipe fitter and Leave voter Dave Hawkins said Mr Osborne's handling of the campaign was "absolutely disastrous". |
The 72-year-old also criticised his MP for "threatening us with a punishment budget and all that rubbish". | The 72-year-old also criticised his MP for "threatening us with a punishment budget and all that rubbish". |
Retired print worker Joe has lived in Tatton for 50 years and voted Remain - but did not vote for Mr Osborne in last year's election. | Retired print worker Joe has lived in Tatton for 50 years and voted Remain - but did not vote for Mr Osborne in last year's election. |
He accused him of both scaremongering and complacency. | He accused him of both scaremongering and complacency. |
"I don't think he pushed it enough to stay," he said. | "I don't think he pushed it enough to stay," he said. |
"I think they thought it was a foregone conclusion. They thought they had to call a referendum and that would be it because people would vote Remain." | "I think they thought it was a foregone conclusion. They thought they had to call a referendum and that would be it because people would vote Remain." |
He added: "That speech where he said that if we went out we would lose loads of money - that was scaremongering." | He added: "That speech where he said that if we went out we would lose loads of money - that was scaremongering." |
Craig Edwards, from nearby Mobberley, said the Leave vote was "brilliant for democracy" and Mr Osborne's "threats" had been a "really bad strategy". | Craig Edwards, from nearby Mobberley, said the Leave vote was "brilliant for democracy" and Mr Osborne's "threats" had been a "really bad strategy". |
But it seems Mr Osborne may have partially redeemed himself with his speech on Monday morning, designed to calm financial uncertainty. | But it seems Mr Osborne may have partially redeemed himself with his speech on Monday morning, designed to calm financial uncertainty. |
Mr Edwards continued: "I listened to him today and I thought he came across very well. | Mr Edwards continued: "I listened to him today and I thought he came across very well. |
"He was very calming. He was statesman-like today." | "He was very calming. He was statesman-like today." |
Should Mr Osborne ultimately stand down as chancellor? Here too, his constituents remain divided. | Should Mr Osborne ultimately stand down as chancellor? Here too, his constituents remain divided. |
Labour-voting printworker Joe believes he should resign, simply because he is David Cameron's "right-hand man". | Labour-voting printworker Joe believes he should resign, simply because he is David Cameron's "right-hand man". |
For balance, he said Remain-campaigner Jeremy Corbyn should also resign. | For balance, he said Remain-campaigner Jeremy Corbyn should also resign. |
Others seem more willing to give the chancellor another chance following his stoic speech. | Others seem more willing to give the chancellor another chance following his stoic speech. |
Pipe fitter Mr Hawkins said he would be content to see Mr Osborne stay in position in the immediate aftermath of the post-Brexit vote. | Pipe fitter Mr Hawkins said he would be content to see Mr Osborne stay in position in the immediate aftermath of the post-Brexit vote. |
"[He should] take us in a new direction. Start producing things again," he said. | "[He should] take us in a new direction. Start producing things again," he said. |
Mr Edwards added: "I'd like him to still be in the cabinet. He's looked after the economy, he's created jobs, he's created work. | Mr Edwards added: "I'd like him to still be in the cabinet. He's looked after the economy, he's created jobs, he's created work. |
"But it's up to the new government isn't it?" | "But it's up to the new government isn't it?" |
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