Ballots, budgets and bricks: Brexit and the polarisation of individual economic behaviours
Abstract
Does political polarisation influence actual economic behaviours? Using British nationally representative surveys and administrative data, we document how the Brexit referendum triggered stark divergences in individual micro and macro expectations between Leave and Remain supporters. Compared to existing research, we show how these polarising effects were driven by a specific policy issue and mostly unrelated to traditional partisan identities. We also demonstrate howthese diverging beliefs influenced major real financial decisions. Leavers became more likely to purchase durable goods and engage in housing transactions, and areas with higher proportions of Leave voters experienced increased housing transaction volumes and rising prices.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Economic Policies and Impacts
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Journal of Public Economics
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Volume
- 259
- Pages
- 105666–105666
- Publication date
- 22 May 2026
- Language
- EN