Post-Brexit poll shows gulf between young and old voters

The United Kingdom has never been more disunited, judging by the most detailed examination yet of how voters split last Thursday when they voted on whether the UK should stay in the European Union.

The older the voters, the more likely they were to have voted to leave the EU, according to a post-voting poll of nearly 13,000 people across the UK by Lord Michael Ashcroft.

Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of 18 to 24 year-olds voted to remain, falling to under two thirds (62 per cent) among 35 to 44 year-olds – though a majority of them did not vote, despite their complaints now.

A majority of those aged over 45 voted to leave, rising to 60 per cent of those aged 65 or over. Most people with children aged ten or under voted to remain; most of those with children aged 11 or older voted to leave.

Most people in work – be that full-time, or part-time jobs – voted to stay in the EU. The majority of those who are not in work and are in receipt of welfare benefits, or those who are retired and receiving State and private pensions voted to Leave.

Indeed, pensions illustrate the chasm that has now been created in the UK. More than half of those retired on a private pension voted to leave, as did two thirds of those retired on a state pension.

Among private renters and people with mortgages, a small majority (55 per cent and 54 per cent) voted to remain; those who owned their homes outright voted to leave by 55 per cent to 45 per cent. But two thirds of those who are living in council houses or living in housing association properties voted to leave.

Education reveals splits, too. A majority of the university-educated voted to Remain, as 64 per cent of those with a higher degree and more than four in five (81 per cent) of those still in full time education. But a large majority of those with secondary education, or less voted against.

White voters voted to leave the EU by 53 per cent to 47 per cent. Two thirds (67 per cent) of those describing themselves as Asian voted to remain, as did three quarters (73 per cent) of black voters. Nearly six in ten (58 per cent) of those describing themselves as Christian voted to leave; seven in ten Muslims voted to remain.

The AB social group (broadly speaking, professionals and managers) were the only social group among whom a majority voted to remain (57 per cent). C1s divided fairly evenly; nearly two thirds of C2DEs (64 per cnt) voted to leave the EU.