‘We was hoodwinked’: Inside the ex-mining town that backed Brexit despite millions of pounds of EU funding

Ebbw Vale: Brexit Vote ‘We was Hoodwinked’ Despite EU Funding

We was hoodwinked - Residents of Ebbw Vale, a once-thriving ex-mining town in Wales, say they were ‘hoodwinked’ into supporting Brexit despite decades of EU financial support. In the 2016 referendum, 62 per cent of voters chose to leave the European Union, even as the town had received hundreds of millions in EU grants for regeneration. The decision has sparked a debate about whether the EU’s investment truly addressed local needs, or if the message of Brexit was a more compelling one for many in the community.

A Town Shaped by Industry

For over a century, Ebbw Vale was a vital part of South Wales’ industrial backbone. Its steelworks played a key role in building landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge and even contributed bricks to the Empire State Building. By the 1960s, the town employed nearly 12,000 workers, creating a self-sustaining economy. However, the decline of coal and steel industries in the late 20th century left Ebbw Vale in economic limbo. By 2002, both industries had shut down, and the town struggled to redefine its identity in a post-industrial era.

EU Funding and the Brexit Vote

Despite the economic decline, EU funding kept Ebbw Vale afloat through projects like a £350m steelworks redevelopment and a £2.3m cable car linking the high street to a former industrial site. Yet, many residents feel they were ‘hoodwinked’ by the promise of continued investment. “We were told the EU would fund our future, but it’s clear we were misled,” says Phill Edwards, who manages the town’s weekly market. The referendum result, which reflected a majority for Brexit, has left some questioning whether the EU’s financial backing was enough to sway opinions in a place where industry once defined life.

Local leaders acknowledged the complexity of the decision. “The EU has been a lifeline, but the message of Brexit resonated with people who felt their future was uncertain,” explained a council representative. The town’s vote stands as a microcosm of the broader UK sentiment, where economic dependency on the EU coexisted with a desire for political autonomy.

Projects of Ambition and Doubt

EU-funded initiatives in Ebbw Vale, including the £80m A465 Heads of the Valley road upgrade, have brought infrastructure improvements. However, critics argue these projects lack real impact. The Stannah stairlift, costing £41,000 annually to maintain, is seen as a symbol of missed opportunities. “That money could have built homes or hospitals instead of a shiny new lift,” said Edwards. The town’s residents, who were ‘hoodwinked’ by the EU’s financial promises, now question whether the investment was wasted or simply not enough.

Community Resilience and Discontent

While the town’s economy has shifted to tourism and small businesses, the sense of community remains strong. A pedestrianised high street now houses a Wetherspoon pub on the site of the 1939 Astoria cinema, and a Methodist church has become the library. Yet, these changes have not erased the frustration over EU spending. “The funding kept the lights on, but it didn’t bring back the jobs or the prosperity we once had,” said a local shop owner. The town’s struggle to balance past reliance on EU grants with present support for Brexit highlights the emotional and economic factors behind the vote.

Ebbw Vale’s story is one of resilience and regret. As the town adapts to a post-Brexit reality, residents continue to grapple with the question: were they truly ‘hoodwinked’ by the EU, or did they simply believe in a different future? The answer may lie in the very projects that now define their landscape, both as symbols of progress and as reminders of unmet expectations.