Hertford and Stortford
- Party
- Labour
- Region
- East of England
The cost of Brexit · UK-wide
Brexit's estimated hit to UK economic output (GVA) in 2023
−£188.8bn
−7.7% of output
That's about £2,835 for every person in the UK, compared with an estimate of where the economy would have been without Brexit.
Source: Brexit Cost Project (Alabrese, Edenhofer, Fetzer and Wang, 2026), real terms at 2019 prices
What rejoining could mean · UK-wide
Long-term boost to the UK economy (GDP) from EU membership
+£92bn
at least
Plus at least £43bn a year more in UK exports.
What rejoining could mean here
Estimated boost to the East of England's economy (GVA) each year from EU membership
+£712m
a year
Source: Frontier Economics
What voters think in Hertford and Stortford
Which EU relationship people in Hertford and Stortford most want the UK Government to propose
When they had to choose one
About this survey
YouGov surveyed 11,927 people. The survey was carried out between 27th May – 11th June 2026.
The survey was conducted using an online interview of members of the YouGov Plc GB panel of 400,000+ individuals who have agreed to take part in surveys.
Voices from Hertford and Stortford
UK belongs in the heart of EU. Together we are stronger and safer. Our economy and standard of life has suffered since Brexit. Please work for us to make sure that UK re-joins the EU.
Merita Oakes
9 November 2026
As a British citizen currently residing in Spain I feel the loss of membership in the Single Market & Customs Union. My relationship with my family and friends is made more difficult and restricted following Brexit.
M. P.
9 November 2026
I believe rejoining the EU will be good for the future of our children and grandchildren, both in terms of opportunities and security, we can’t rely on the USA any longer
Bradley Chy
8 November 2026
The world is a better place working in collaberation. People are happier connecting with others even across borders. Europe was living example of this. Economically, politically, culturally. UK leaving was a disaster - evidenced clearly now to all. UK fed a comfort diet of nostalgic propoganda when vulnerable to our 'plucky little englander' mentality. (Austerity, covid, financial crash and invigorated Right wing mobilisation) We have to be part of a positive new European project now. The world has changed and European project has to be rebuilt with UK as part of it. Must not be seen as going back - ie rejoin but a re imagination - core principles central but for future very uncertain world. Exciting - not sclerotic. That's a challenge for Europe as well as UK.
R. M. D.
8 November 2026
Which sectors could benefit most from EU membership?
Hertford and Stortford has:
people employed in manufacturing, mining and utilities
people employed in retail and wholesale
people employed in accommodation and food services
as its biggest employing industry
Why these jobs matter for our relationship with Europe
These three industries employ people in every constituency, and each depends on how easily goods, services and people move between the UK and Europe.
Manufacturing: Frontier Economics found that 81% of the £43 billion a year growth in exports from EU membership would come from manufacturing.
Retail: Rejoining the EU would remove the customs checks and paperwork that have added red tape and costs for shops and their suppliers since Brexit, making it cheaper and simpler to stock goods from Europe.
Food services: Pubs, restaurants and hotels have struggled to fill vacancies since free movement ended. EU membership would let them recruit seasonal workers from across Europe again and help bring down costs for hospitality businesses across the country.
Sources and methodology
- GVA gap caused by Brexit: Brexit Cost Project
- People employed by industry and biggest employing industry: Census 2021, Office for National Statistics
- People employed by industry in Scotland: Scotland's Census 2022, National Records of Scotland
- Support for full EU membership: YouGov for Best for Britain
- Regional GVA boost: Frontier Economics for Best for Britain
- Postcode lookup: postcodes.io, using ONS data
- MP details and photos: UK Parliament Members API
Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Contains Royal Mail data © Royal Mail copyright and database right 2026. Contains NRS data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.