United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016: Difference between revisions
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The campaign has so far focused on the [[economy|economic]] consequences of staying or leaving, as well as [[immigration]]. "Leave" campaigners have argued that a UK outside the EU will be be able to freely negotiate lucrative [[free trade]] deals,<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36074853 Michael Gove sets out post-exit UK-EU trade vision']'. 19th April 2016.</ref> while the "Remain" camp has warned of an economic downturn and isolation. In April 2016, the [[United States of America|USA]] appeared to strongly back the status quo when [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Barack Obama]] told voters that exit would place the UK "in the back of the queue" in terms of cutting a free trade deal with America, because the focus would be on an upcoming US-EU deal.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36117161 President Obama: 'UK is going to be in the back of the queue']'. 22nd April 2016.</ref> | The campaign has so far focused on the [[economy|economic]] consequences of staying or leaving, as well as [[immigration]]. "Leave" campaigners have argued that a UK outside the EU will be be able to freely negotiate lucrative [[free trade]] deals,<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-36074853 Michael Gove sets out post-exit UK-EU trade vision']'. 19th April 2016.</ref> while the "Remain" camp has warned of an economic downturn and isolation. In April 2016, the [[United States of America|USA]] appeared to strongly back the status quo when [[President of the United States of America|President]] [[Barack Obama]] told voters that exit would place the UK "in the back of the queue" in terms of cutting a free trade deal with America, because the focus would be on an upcoming US-EU deal.<ref>''BBC News'': '[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36117161 President Obama: 'UK is going to be in the back of the queue']'. 22nd April 2016.</ref> | ||
As of April 2016, [[opinion poll]]s indicate that the two sides are roughly tied, but the results are disputed.<ref>''Guardian'': '[http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2016/mar/29/support-leaving-eu-referendum-overstated-polls-analysis-suggests Support for leaving EU likely to be overstated in polls, analysis suggests]'. 29th March 2016.</ref> The government has indicated that in the event of an exit vote, a two-year departure process under the [[Treaty of Lisbon|Lisbon Treaty]] will begin soon after the result.<ref>''Daily Telegraph'': '[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12174287/EU-referendum-David-Camerons-project-fear-warnings-slapped-down-by-Lord-Howard-.html#update-20160226-1245 Government would not delay exit if British public vote to leave]'. 26th February 2016.</ref> | As of April 2016, [[opinion poll]]s indicate that the two sides are roughly tied, but the results are disputed.<ref>''Guardian'': '[http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2016/mar/29/support-leaving-eu-referendum-overstated-polls-analysis-suggests Support for leaving EU likely to be overstated in polls, analysis suggests]'. 29th March 2016.</ref> Polls have been found to give different results depending on whether they are carried out by phone or on line. The government has indicated that in the event of an exit vote, a two-year departure process under the [[Treaty of Lisbon|Lisbon Treaty]] will begin soon after the result.<ref>''Daily Telegraph'': '[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12174287/EU-referendum-David-Camerons-project-fear-warnings-slapped-down-by-Lord-Howard-.html#update-20160226-1245 Government would not delay exit if British public vote to leave]'. 26th February 2016.</ref> | ||
Although the government collectively supports remaining, collective responsibility has been suspended, allowing five cabinet ministers and some junior ministers to campaign openly for leaving. The House of Commons is roughly 3 to 1 in favour of remaining and the Confederation of British Industry, representing mainly big business, about 4 to 1. There is more support for leaving among small businesses. Most major trade unions are also in favour of remaining, as is the Church of Scotland; the Church of England is thought unlikely to take sides. | |||
==Footnotes== | ==Footnotes== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 09:33, 25 April 2016
A referendum on continued United Kingdom membership of the European Union is scheduled to take place in the UK and Gibraltar on 23rd June 2016. The UK government, an official "Remain" campaign and other groups and some political parties support UK membership, while an official "Leave" organisation and other "out" groups, including the UK Independence Party, are campaigning for the country to exit the EU. Many other organisations, including corporations and small businesses, have also expressed opinions one way or the other on the prospect of a UK departure.
The campaign has so far focused on the economic consequences of staying or leaving, as well as immigration. "Leave" campaigners have argued that a UK outside the EU will be be able to freely negotiate lucrative free trade deals,[1] while the "Remain" camp has warned of an economic downturn and isolation. In April 2016, the USA appeared to strongly back the status quo when President Barack Obama told voters that exit would place the UK "in the back of the queue" in terms of cutting a free trade deal with America, because the focus would be on an upcoming US-EU deal.[2]
As of April 2016, opinion polls indicate that the two sides are roughly tied, but the results are disputed.[3] Polls have been found to give different results depending on whether they are carried out by phone or on line. The government has indicated that in the event of an exit vote, a two-year departure process under the Lisbon Treaty will begin soon after the result.[4]
Although the government collectively supports remaining, collective responsibility has been suspended, allowing five cabinet ministers and some junior ministers to campaign openly for leaving. The House of Commons is roughly 3 to 1 in favour of remaining and the Confederation of British Industry, representing mainly big business, about 4 to 1. There is more support for leaving among small businesses. Most major trade unions are also in favour of remaining, as is the Church of Scotland; the Church of England is thought unlikely to take sides.
Footnotes
- ↑ BBC News: 'Michael Gove sets out post-exit UK-EU trade vision''. 19th April 2016.
- ↑ BBC News: 'President Obama: 'UK is going to be in the back of the queue''. 22nd April 2016.
- ↑ Guardian: 'Support for leaving EU likely to be overstated in polls, analysis suggests'. 29th March 2016.
- ↑ Daily Telegraph: 'Government would not delay exit if British public vote to leave'. 26th February 2016.