Spatially varying explanations behind the UKs vote to leave the EU

Explanations behind area-based (Local Authority-level) voting preference in the 2016 EU referendum are explored using aggregate-level data. Variables describing the economic competitiveness of Local Authorities most strongly discriminate variation in the vote. To a lesser extent this is the case for variables linked to `metropolitan vs. traditional' values and relationships here tend to diverge spatially. Local Authorities in Scotland and London are distinct in their strong support for remaining in the EU. Whilst the difference for London can largely be accounted for using area-level data, this is less true of Scotland.