An area in Croydon appears to be the only part of Britain where exactly the same number of people voted to remain in the EU as those who voted for Brexit, new statistics show.

The majority of the borough’s residents voted to remain within the EU in the referendum in June last year.

But the count in Ashburton was split exactly 50/50 with 3,885 votes for both options on the ballot paper, figures published by the BBC on Monday, February 6 reveal.

Brexit: Find out how MPs in south London backed Commons vote to trigger Article 50

The figures also show that New Addington and Fieldway, neighbouring wards, stood out nationally for voting Leave by substantial amounts.

Of the 69 per cent turnout, 54.3 per cent of Croydon residents voted for the UK to remain in the EU, with 45.7 per cent voting to leave.

Despite the majority of the borough’s residents voting to remain in last year’s referendum, all of Croydon’s MPs voted in favour of granting the Government powers to trigger Article 50.

All three MPs, who had campaigned to remain within EU in the build up to the referendum, gave the Brexit bill backing in parliament last Wednesday, February 1.

Steve Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, said: “The majority of voters here in Croydon agreed with me and voted to remain, but a majority across the country voted to leave.

"It would be wrong and damaging for Parliament to hand decision-making to the people in a referendum and then ignore the outcome, so even though I disagree with the result, as a democrat I must accept it.”

Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for Croydon Central, said voting against starting the Brexit process would damage confidence in democracy.

He said: “The referendum result might not be legally binding but, having said I would abide by it, it is certainly morally binding.

“Imagine what it would do to confidence in our democracy if, having got a result most of us didn’t want, MPs now say: ‘The referendum was only advisory and we’ve decided to ignore your advice’.

“This was a national decision and we all need to accept the result just as we would all accept the result of a General Election even if our own constituency didn’t vote for the winner.”

Chris Philp, Conservative MP for Croydon South, echoed the opinions of Mr Barwell and his Labour counterpart.

He said: “During the referendum I made no secret that I wanted Britain remain in the European Union – however, I strongly believe that since the people of Britain voted to leave the EU, we in Parliament should respect that vote.”

MPs will now begin the process of scrutinising the Article 50 bill.

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