The country is divided, and that is one thing that both Remain and Leave voters can agree on. Whilst the 2016 referendum ended in national division, many local areas and communities of like-minded people found themselves to be majority Leave or Remain voters. However, some constituencies, reflecting the moods and opinions of the whole country, remain divided, and a great schism has seen communities in constituencies like Bromley, where the Leave and Remain votes were 50.6% Remain and 49.4% Leave, divide into two groups of the politically like-minded.

Leading up to the 2016 election, Bromley, the largest of the London Boroughs in geographical size and located in South-East London, was plastered with Leave and Remain posters. Everywhere you went, whether it be on lampposts, in people’s front gardens, or on their windows facing the street, you were able to tell one’s political opinions quickly with a glance at the circle of stars or red and white bold letters that stood out on your morning commute. The seemingly endless campaigns seemed inescapable, and everyone was forced to take a side, and the sides were equal in Bromley. But why? Why is Bromley, a borough in the south of London with a very clear Conservative majority, one of the most divided constituencies in the UK?

One of the reasons could be area. Bromley is the largest borough in London and the landscape vary very much. The north parts of the Borough are very urbanised and mostly filled with commuters that work in London, which would tend to lean towards remain votes. Much of the borough, however, is quite rural and, whilst, still technically being in London, would be what most people would classify as ‘countryside’. Many people in the south of Bromley, in areas like Biggin Hill or Cudham, are small business owners and there is a clear farming community in these parts as well, and these groups of people tend to lean towards leave votes.

Another reason for Bromley’s division could be range of age. Bromley is home to not only young urban professionals but also elderly citizens and middle ages citizens and families. Young families and young citizens, studies show, tended to vote to remain in the European Union whereas older citizens and middle-aged people tended to vote for Brexit.

The range of people from different backgrounds, different ages and different professions means that Bromley is one of the most divided constituencies in the country.