Full Breakdown
Cambridgeshire Apprentices on EU Re-membership: Views and Political Implications
6/24/2026, 12:25:46 PM
Apprentices’ Stance on a Hypothetical EU Re-join
Four apprentices at the North Cambridgeshire Training Centre in Chatteris—Myles Dillon (20), Tegan Smith (19), Hope Hayden-Ferguson (20) and Will Harris-Aebvtivs—were asked how they would vote if a referendum on re-joining the EU were held. All expressed caution; three would have backed Leave in 2016, one stayed open to re-joining.
Background: Brexit, Regional Vote and Polls
The 2016 referendum gave 51.9 % Leave; Fenland, including Chatteris, recorded 71.4 % Leave. Nationwide hypothetical polls now show a majority favour re-joining, though margins are volatile and polling reliability is questioned.
Key Figures: Apprentices and Workplace
The apprentices are in a three-year engineering programme with Aerotron, a local aerospace firm, receiving hands-on and classroom training. Their views reflect young workers in a region that voted strongly for Leave.
Data Snapshot
On-the-Ground
Myles Dillon sees no personal benefit from EU membership. Tegan Smith calls the EU “a distant concept” and would weigh pros and cons. Hope Hayden-Ferguson says she has not missed opportunities because of Brexit. Will Harris-Aebvtivs notes travel and trade impacts and suggests re-joining could help.
Criticism: EU Skepticism
All four apprentices question EU relevance to their work. Myles stresses a focus on “our country” over European cooperation. Tegan argues that without clear advantages, staying out may be preferable. Their stance contrasts with polls suggesting overall support for re-joining.
Official Statements: Government & Labour
Government officials and prospective Labour candidates have signalled interest in a closer EU relationship, framing it as a response to shifting public sentiment and the prospect of a future re-membership referendum.
Conflicting Reports
National polls show a majority favour re-joining, yet the apprentices—representative of a strongly pro-Leave area—express doubt. No longitudinal data track how attitudes may evolve as they enter the wider electorate.
Quotes
- “I think I would have voted to leave.” — Myles Dillon, engineering apprentice
- “I think it would be a good thing, personally, to rejoin.” — Will Harris-Aebvtivs, apprentice
- “The public ‘just really isn’t engaged that much in the EU’ at the moment.” — Will Harris-Aebvtivs
- “I think I’ve had quite a few really good opportunities working with the Aerotron, so I don’t feel like I’ve personally missed out on anything, but I could understand why other people might feel like they’ve missed out.” — Hope Hayden-Ferguson, apprentice
Next Steps
If the government or Labour moves toward a closer EU relationship, the apprentices’ cautious stance suggests any future referendum could face low engagement and divergent regional opinions, especially in Fenland where Leave sentiment stays high.
