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The map that shows how the Tory Party has been split in two over Europe | |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The issue of Europe has finally divided the Conservative Party, as it has long threatened to do. | The issue of Europe has finally divided the Conservative Party, as it has long threatened to do. |
One hundred and nineteen Tory MPs have rebelled against their leader and will campaign to leave the EU ahead of the UK’s referendum on June 23. A total of 134 MPs will campaign to stay, with 77 undeclared as of today. | One hundred and nineteen Tory MPs have rebelled against their leader and will campaign to leave the EU ahead of the UK’s referendum on June 23. A total of 134 MPs will campaign to stay, with 77 undeclared as of today. |
Put another way, 41 per cent of the party’s MPs are pro-EU and 36 per cent are against. | Put another way, 41 per cent of the party’s MPs are pro-EU and 36 per cent are against. |
But what areas do they represent? Our interactive map reveals all: purple constituencies are represented by anti-EU MPs and light blue areas are home to pro-EU MPs. | But what areas do they represent? Our interactive map reveals all: purple constituencies are represented by anti-EU MPs and light blue areas are home to pro-EU MPs. |
(Grey areas are represented by undecided MPs and white ones are not represented by Conservatives.) | (Grey areas are represented by undecided MPs and white ones are not represented by Conservatives.) |
No one consistent pattern emerges. There are strips of pro and anti-EU MPs all across the country, as you can see by exploring the interactive map. | No one consistent pattern emerges. There are strips of pro and anti-EU MPs all across the country, as you can see by exploring the interactive map. |
Yet how do areas compare? Across the South West – in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Devon – 13 Tory MPs have come out against the EU, with 10 supporting and a handful still undecided. | Yet how do areas compare? Across the South West – in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Devon – 13 Tory MPs have come out against the EU, with 10 supporting and a handful still undecided. |
As many as nine Hampshire MPs are also anti-EU, with just two supporting and four yet to declare. Meanwhile, MPs are split 12 'for' and 11 'against' across Sussex and Kent. | As many as nine Hampshire MPs are also anti-EU, with just two supporting and four yet to declare. Meanwhile, MPs are split 12 'for' and 11 'against' across Sussex and Kent. |
The anti-EU Kentish MPs all represent areas along or near the Thames Estuary, with Sir Roger Gale, the MP for North Thanet, the lone pro-EU voice in the area. | The anti-EU Kentish MPs all represent areas along or near the Thames Estuary, with Sir Roger Gale, the MP for North Thanet, the lone pro-EU voice in the area. |
That reflects opinion above the Estuary, with a bloc of nine Tory MPs across Essex also backing the leave campaign. From Braintree to Harwich, down to Basildon and across to Rochford, Tory MPs are unanimous. | That reflects opinion above the Estuary, with a bloc of nine Tory MPs across Essex also backing the leave campaign. From Braintree to Harwich, down to Basildon and across to Rochford, Tory MPs are unanimous. |
Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP for Clacton, completes a bloc of ten in the area who all think Britain would be better off out. | Douglas Carswell, the Ukip MP for Clacton, completes a bloc of ten in the area who all think Britain would be better off out. |
In contrast, all six Suffolk MPs have come out as pro-EU, while five of the party’s seven Norfolk MPs will also campaign to stay in. | In contrast, all six Suffolk MPs have come out as pro-EU, while five of the party’s seven Norfolk MPs will also campaign to stay in. |
Two other pro-EU areas are centered around Oxford and Cambridge, with both of these university cities surrounded by pro-EU MPs. | Two other pro-EU areas are centered around Oxford and Cambridge, with both of these university cities surrounded by pro-EU MPs. |
Yet these pockets of support exist alongside strips of opposition - reflecting the deep divide now evident within the Conservative Party. | Yet these pockets of support exist alongside strips of opposition - reflecting the deep divide now evident within the Conservative Party. |
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