Countdown to Brexit: UK residents show different attitudes towards the future

World
Europe

02:43

Turning to the latest on Brexit.The UK Parliament will hold another string of critical votes this week. Our reporter Kitty Logan takes us to one of the country's oldest markets, located in Romford, to see how the Brexit crisis is affecting them.

It's one of the UK's oldest markets. People have been trading here in Romford for around 800 years. But today they're dealing with a very modern crisis - Brexit.

STEVE WICKENDEN MARKET TRADER "I think it doesn't just affect us in the market; it affects everyone. It's the fear of the unknown. People are holding their money back."

Steve Wickenden voted leave. And that's what he wants to see happen.

STEVE WICKENDEN MARKET TRADER "They need to get on with it, do a good deal. Get that border in Ireland sorted out. Get on with it."

Those views are shared by many other market traders here. Over two-thirds of the Romford electorate voted for Britain to leave the EU in 2016. And many haven't changed their minds since then, despite the protracted political process to secure a deal acceptable to Parliament.

CARON WEBB MARKET TRADER "I think we've got to support Theresa May. At the end of the day I can't see anyone else stepping up to the plate and saying what she's putting forward."

Many analysts are warning of dire consequences if Britain leaves the EU without a deal.

But Caron is confident that whatever happens, it won't damage her business.

CARON WEBB MARKET TRADER "I don't think it will affect me as an individual. I will still come to work. My customers will still come to me."

Romford is only a short distance from London, which voted to remain in the EU.

But this is a very different community.

KITTY LOGAN ROMFORD, ESSEX "But while the people here voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU, not everyone here believes that Brexit is best for their future. Like everywhere else in the country – there are divisions."

Europeans living and working here in Romford are especially concerned about their future.

"And I think they have to vote again – young people. Because I think old people voted. And this is definitely a different option."

And those young people are having doubts.

"I think there should be a second referendum, I really do. And I think people should understand a lot more what we could lose as a country, if we leave the EU."

Parliament is yet to decide exactly how Britain leaves the EU. The government could even opt for a delay. But whatever happens, the outcome will not please everyone – even in largely pro-Brexit communities like Romford. Kitty Logan CGTN, Romford, Essex.