In the 2016 referendum on UK EU membership, regions which benefitted from high levels of structural funds voted to leave the EU. This was unexpected given the Europeanisation processes expected of the funds in terms of identity and loyalty. Within this case study of Cornwall, we use qualitative methods to assess why this happened and the implications for future structural funding programmes. We find that the rationale behind the Brexit vote was less about the EU as an institution, but was a reflection of the deep levels of uncertainty, insecurity and frustration that people felt about governance decisions, scarce resources and the future for themselves and their children. This created a situation where people looked to the nation state for support and security, and were fearful of post-national forms of identification and governance. Consequently, EU support is imagined as being organised by ‘elites’, for elites, rather than benefitting local communities. We suggest breaking down some of the barriers that have arisen through a participatory approach to development decision-making, greater flexibility to regional priorities, and forms of funding that individuals might apply to – such as a skills pot to facilitate easier access to further education and training.

The application of proteomic techniques to forensic science widens the range of analytical capabilities available to forensic laboratories when answering complex toxicology problems. Currently, these techniques are underutilised in post‐mortem toxicology because of the historic focus on smaller (<1,000 amu) drug molecules. Definitive confirmation of an insulin overdose by analysis of post‐mortem biological matrices is rare and challenging, however can assist coronial investigations pertaining to accidental or intentional overdoses in both diabetic and nondiabetic populations. A semiautomated micro‐solid phase extraction paired with mass spectrometry‐based insulin methodology was developed and validated for routine use in a Forensic Coronial Toxicology Laboratory. This resulting work reports the first Australian cases where synthetic insulins were confirmed by mass spectrometry in the vitreous humour of Type 1 diabetics who intentionally or accidentally overdosed on their prescription medication glargine and aspart. The detection of glargine M1 in Case 1, aspart in Case 2 and glargine M1 was indicated in Case 3. This paper highlights advancements in forensic coronial toxicology and the promising potential of proteomic analysis in a forensic context.