Boston, UK: Local Perspectives on the Upcoming US Election

In 2016, the Lincolnshire town of Boston notably showed strong support for Brexit, registering the UK’s highest vote at 75% in favor of exiting the EU. Given this background, it is perhaps unsurprising that, with the US presidential election approaching, residents in this English locality have voiced their backing for Donald Trump’s bid for the White House. Tony “Memphis” King, an Elvis Presley impersonator, informed BBC Politics North of his support for the Republican candidate, stating, “He’s straightforward, he tells people what he thinks.” When questioned about the potential impact if Mr. Trump were to run for election in Britain, Mr. King further commented, “I think he would do a good job.” Conversely, opinion polls have indicated that most British voters do not wish to see Mr. Trump return to the Oval Office. A You Gov survey released in October specifically suggested that nearly two-thirds of Britons favored Kamala Harris as the subsequent US President. While Boston’s electoral past might suggest a natural inclination towards Trump, some individuals interviewed by the BBC expressed support for the Democrat nominee, particularly among younger women. One female charity fundraiser, who was gathering support in the town centre, remarked, “America desperately needs a female president.” Julian Cunnington, a 67-year-old who has resided in Boston his entire life, concurred with this sentiment, adding, “She is probably in the better interests of the American people in the future.” However, Greg Swenson, chairman of Republicans Overseas UK, noted that Trump connects with a particular segment of the British population. He stated, “Most of the people I speak to who are working class, I would say 90% are very big Trump fans.” Certain commentators have drawn comparisons between Donald Trump’s win in the 2016 US presidential election and the Brexit campaign’s success in the EU Referendum during the same year. The suggested commonality is a rejection of the Washington/Westminster establishment by blue-collar voters. Although residents of the original Boston in Lincolnshire—distinct from the Massachusetts city bearing the same name—do not cast votes in the US election, individuals in this part of England are awaiting America’s decision on 5 November. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.