In the 2016 EU referendum, many UK seaside and coastal constituencies voted predominantly to leave the European Union. South Devon reflected this broader pattern: older demographics, lower average wages, and economies historically dependent on fishing, tourism and seasonal labour correlated strongly with support for Brexit. National analyses following the vote identified coastal communities as among the most pro-Leave areas in England.
Since 2016, however, coastal towns have also been identified as some of the most economically vulnerable regions in the UK. Studies by the Office for National Statistics and various policy institutes have shown that seaside communities tend to rank higher in indices of deprivation, have lower levels of higher education attainment, and face limited economic diversification. Post-Brexit trade barriers have affected small exporters and the fishing industry; the end of free movement has contributed to labour shortages in hospitality and care sectors; and inflationary pressures have intensified existing structural fragilities. While these challenges cannot be attributed solely to Brexit, they have intersected with it in ways that have disproportionately impacted coastal economies.
