‘There’s no jobs’: struggle and regret in a Welsh town that backed Brexit
‘There’s no jobs’: struggle and regret in a Welsh town that backed Brexit
A Once Thriving Industrial Hub
There s no jobs - Once a bustling center of steel production, the Ebbw Vale site now stands as a testament to the area’s transformation. Modern facilities—such as a hospital, leisure center, and college—dot the landscape, joined by a public-private cybersecurity research center and two technology firms. A new railway station, opened in 2015, connects the town to Cardiff, yet the atmosphere during the Guardian’s recent visit felt subdued. Sheep outnumbered people in the rewilded space adjacent to the tech buildings, with a lone ewe and three lambs wandering among the grass. “The site is underutilized,” remarked John Edwards, 77, a volunteer at the Ebbw Vale Works Museum. “The train station sees a lot of commuters heading to Cardiff, but visitors to the town are fewer than we’d hoped.”
The Cost of Closure
The closure of Ebbw Vale’s steelworks in 2002 marked the beginning of a prolonged decline. Blaenau Gwent, the surrounding area, received the highest level of EU structural funding ever allocated to a region, with millions funneled into regeneration projects on the old site. However, despite these efforts, the town’s fortunes have remained fragile. “The EU helped, but it wasn’t enough,” said Claire Jones, 52, a local shopper. “When I saw the vote results, I was stunned. How could people choose to leave when we were still relying on their support?” She recalled the visible presence of EU flags on signs, a reminder of the financial aid that once sustained the community. “Either people didn’t care, or they were unaware of what we’d lose by voting leave,” she added.
A Divided Legacy
Blaenau Gwent’s decision to exit the EU in 2016—with 62% of voters supporting the Brexit campaign—was notable, even as the town had benefited from substantial funding. This outcome, however, may have been influenced by the influx of retired English voters, according to some analyses. The steelworks’ closure had already disrupted the local economy, erasing thousands of jobs and sending families into financial uncertainty. “It’s a generational struggle,” explained Lindsay Whittle, a Plaid Cymru representative. “The Brexit vote revealed a deep sense of disenfranchisement. Now, with more awareness and engagement, many residents are beginning to question that choice.”
Shortfalls and Skewed Outcomes
Despite EU funding, the town’s economic challenges persisted. A report by the Bevan Foundation, based in Merthyr Tydfil, highlighted that the financial support from the EU had not significantly improved conditions in Blaenau Gwent or other Welsh regions. “Even with the promised funds, the town didn’t see a real turnaround,” the report noted. “The money seemed to vanish without leaving a lasting impact.” In the decade following the Brexit vote, the UK has struggled to replace the lost EU funding, exacerbating the economic strain on regions like Ebbw Vale. The Welsh government’s £100m tech valleys initiative, launched to revitalize the area, has seen three tech companies establish offices on the former steelworks site. A coworking hub, Goldworks or Gwaithaur, opened in 2024 to support entrepreneurship.
Struggles Remain
Yet, for many in Ebbw Vale, the regeneration efforts have not alleviated daily hardships. Nathan Grist, 40, who works at his family’s butchers, acknowledged the town’s progress but noted ongoing challenges. “We’re managing, but some businesses are barely holding on,” he said. “People cut back on essentials now, and the cost of living crisis feels more personal than ever.” A local shopper, identified only as Mike, 62, dismissed the projects as “white elephants.” “I worked in the steelworks until I was laid off, then started my own business. But the new developments haven’t helped us,” he argued. “They’re all shiny, but the real problems—like unemployment and rising prices—remain.”
Hope Amidst Hardship
Despite the setbacks, some residents remain cautiously optimistic. The Welsh government’s investment, paired with funding from the Labour-led Westminster, has spurred a net gain of 870 businesses in Blaenau Gwent over the past decade, compared to 511 in the previous ten years. A joint blueprint for growth between Blaenau Gwent and neighboring Torfaen aims to leverage these resources further. However, the tangible benefits for locals are still elusive. “The tech sector is growing, but it’s not replacing the jobs we lost,” said Edwards, reflecting on the museum’s role as a reminder of the town’s industrial heritage. “We’re stuck between the past and an uncertain future.”
A Town on the Brink
Ebbw Vale and the broader Blaenau Gwent region are among the UK’s poorest areas, a reality that has deepened since the Brexit vote. Families now face an average annual shortfall of thousands of pounds, compounding the difficulties of daily life. “The steel mill took the last skilled jobs,” said Grist. “Now, we’re left with small businesses and the hope that tech might fill the gap.” Yet, the transition has been slow, and the town’s identity remains tied to its industrial past. “We’ve become a commuter town,” Edwards noted, “but the heart of Ebbw Vale is still in the struggle for survival.”
The irony of the situation is stark: a town that once symbolized British industrial strength, now grappling with the consequences of its own political choice. As the cost of living continues to rise, residents like Jones and Grist find themselves questioning whether Brexit was the right decision. “The EU provided support, but it also brought stability,” Jones said. “Now, we’re paying the price for a vote that felt more like a gamble than a plan.”