Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting.
This city in northeastern England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. Coal from the surrounding mines helped power the country.
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Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting.
It has had some success. A university with more than 15,000 students helps boost the local economy. Japanese automaker Nissan employs almost 7,000 people at its Sunderland plant.
That departure, and any benefits it may bring, has yet to happen. Economic uncertainty around Brexit has shaken the auto industry that's so crucial to the city. Nissan has scrapped plans to build a new SUV in Sunderland, and shifted production of two other models from the city — though the company says the moves are not directly related to Brexit.
"I think there's just total distrust in the government — that's why it's happening," said Reece Haase, a 19-year-old student at the university.
A busker sings beside a closed down shop in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. This city in northeast England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A broken down caravan and a mural on the wall of terraced houses in bad condition is seen in the Hendon area of Sunderland, England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. This city in northeast England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A person walks past the University of Sunderland in north east England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. It has had some success. A university with more than 15,000 students helps boost the local economy. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A man approaches the Software centre in Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Workers walk toward the car builders Nissan plant in Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Economic uncertainty around Brexit has shaken the auto industry that's so crucial to the city. Nissan has scrapped plans to build a new SUV in Sunderland, and shifted production of two other models from the city _ though the company says the moves are not directly related to Brexit. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Cranes in the docks backdrop the Marina of Sunderland in north east England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Men walk their dogs as the sun rises at Roker beach in Sunderland, England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. This city in northeast England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. Coal from the surrounding mines helped power the country.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People in the streets near the shopping centre in Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. In Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum, Sunderland voted by 61 percent to 39 percent to leave a bloc from which many residents _ rightly or wrongly _ believe they have received little benefit. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People sit in a pub, decorated with an English flag in Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A woman passes closed down shops in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Closed shops have their shutters down and logos removed in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Windows of a run down house that is for sale in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
The mines and shipyards are long gone, and like many British cities, Sunderland has had to find a new identity, and new jobs, for the post-industrial era.
Run down windows decorated with English flags in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
It has had some success. A university with more than 15,000 students helps boost the local economy. Japanese automaker Nissan employs almost 7,000 people at its Sunderland plant.
But the city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government.
In Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum, Sunderland voted by 61 percent to 39 percent to leave a bloc from which many residents — rightly or wrongly — believe they have received little benefit.
A man passes a closed down shop beside a newly refurbished one in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
That departure, and any benefits it may bring, has yet to happen. Economic uncertainty around Brexit has shaken the auto industry that's so crucial to the city. Nissan has scrapped plans to build a new SUV in Sunderland, and shifted production of two other models from the city — though the company says the moves are not directly related to Brexit.
With the terms and date of Britain's departure uncertain, some feel betrayed. Dozens have joined former U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage on a "Brexit betrayal" march that will wend its way to London, arriving on March 29, the day Britain was supposed to leave the bloc.
The marchers are a small minority, but many in Sunderland feel some sympathy with their frustration.
People walk past a house in the Hendon area of Sunderland, England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
"I think there's just total distrust in the government — that's why it's happening," said Reece Haase, a 19-year-old student at the university.
He favors remaining in the EU, but says that since people voted to leave, "then we should leave. I don't think it's the best decision, but that's what people voted for and I don't think it should be disrespected."
A man walks down a subway in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A busker sings beside a closed down shop in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. This city in northeast England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A broken down caravan and a mural on the wall of terraced houses in bad condition is seen in the Hendon area of Sunderland, England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. This city in northeast England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A person walks past the University of Sunderland in north east England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. It has had some success. A university with more than 15,000 students helps boost the local economy. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A man approaches the Software centre in Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Workers walk toward the car builders Nissan plant in Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. Economic uncertainty around Brexit has shaken the auto industry that's so crucial to the city. Nissan has scrapped plans to build a new SUV in Sunderland, and shifted production of two other models from the city _ though the company says the moves are not directly related to Brexit. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Cranes in the docks backdrop the Marina of Sunderland in north east England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Men walk their dogs as the sun rises at Roker beach in Sunderland, England, Friday, March 15, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. This city in northeast England once built ships that drove global commerce and helped Britain rule the waves. Coal from the surrounding mines helped power the country.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People in the streets near the shopping centre in Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. In Britain's 2016 EU membership referendum, Sunderland voted by 61 percent to 39 percent to leave a bloc from which many residents _ rightly or wrongly _ believe they have received little benefit. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
People sit in a pub, decorated with an English flag in Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. Sunderland voted for Brexit to make itself heard, and in hope of a brighter future. Almost three years later, residents are still waiting. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
A woman passes closed down shops in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Closed shops have their shutters down and logos removed in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Wednesday, March 13, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government.(AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
Windows of a run down house that is for sale in the city centre of Sunderland, England, Thursday, March 14, 2019. The city's unemployment rate is well above the national average, and pockmarked and shuttered buildings with broken windows scar its landscape. Renewal has been made harder by years of public-spending cuts under a deficit-slashing British government. (AP PhotoFrank Augstein)
