City council leader's fears for post-Brexit Lancaster

Coun Blamire said she fears the decision could have a serious impact of the amount of investment into Lancaster.

“I think we are all stunned,” the Labour councillor said. “I just feel like I have lost something huge.

“I have a feeling of dismay and wondering where we are going. I am seriously worried.”

Coun Blamire said she fears some of the money the council was bidding for – including up to £50m towards development in south Lancaster – could now be in jeopardy.

And she also has concerns that investors will no longer want to move into the city.

She said: “I am concerned that there’s no longer going to be any big money for Lancaster.

“We are still talking to British Land about the canal corridor site but will they now wonder if it’s worth coming here? They could see it as a big risk.

“It’s the instability of it that’s worrying. Businesses are not hiring and people are not investing; it’s bound to have an effect on Lancaster.

“I don’t want to see our country run down. It’s the worry and the suspense that will prevent investment in the country at the moment because no one knows what’s going to happen.”

Coun Blamire also said she is worried about any increased cutbacks on local funding.

“It’s the cutting back that will cause us problems,” she said. “Local government has been cut enough and I don’t know what we will do if we are cut any more.

“Having had so many cuts and had to make so many ourselves the thought of austerity carrying on is very worrying. I really think our future was in Europe and I am shocked that Lancaster voted out; it’s very saddening.

“I think the people that were lead to believe the leave campaign will get a shock and I think a lot of people will regret voting to leave.

“I just feel very sad and sorry for the young people. I think generally speaking they wanted to stay in Europe and they feel angry that their future is now threatened.

“Just when we thought we were making some progress this happens. “I feel very concerned about where we are going.”