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2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

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2016

Date(s) conducted Remain Leave Undecided Sample Conducted by Notes
13–16 Feb 0% 100% 0% 14,497 Ipsos MORI
11–15 Feb 0% 100% 0% 41,079 TNS
12–14 Feb 0% 100% 0% 22,001 ICM
11–14 Feb 0% 100% 0% 41,105 ComRes
5–7 Feb 0% 100% 0% 52,018 ICM
3–4 Feb 0% 100% 0% 61,675 YouGov/The Times
29–31 Jan 0% 100% 0% 42,002 ICM
27–28 Jan 0% 100% 0% 61,735 YouGov
23–25 Jan 0% 100% 0% 75,513 Ipsos MORI
21–25 Jan 0% 100% 0% 61,511 BMG Research
22–24 Jan 0% 100% 0% 41,006 ComRes
22–24 Jan 0% 100% 0% 72,010 ICM
15–17 Jan 0% 100% 0% 52,023 ICM
15–16 Jan 0% 100% 0% 81,017 Survation Includes Northern Ireland
8–14 Jan 0% 100% 0% 28,087 Panelbase
8–11 Jan 0% 100% 0% 52,055 ICM





United Kingdom European Union Membership Referendum
Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?
Results
Result not yet known

The United Kingdom European Union membership referendum is scheduled to take place in the UK and Gibraltar before the end of 2017.[1] Membership of the European Union has been a controversial issue in the United Kingdom since the country joined the then European Economic Community in 1973.

The European Union Referendum Act 2015 which provides for the referendum was passed by the British Parliament. The Act follows a Conservative Party manifesto commitment to hold such a referendum. It will be the second referendum to be held on EU membership in the UK. It will be only the third plebiscite to be held throughout the United Kingdom and the second time the British electorate has been asked to vote on the issue of European Union Membership, the first being in 1975 when it was then known as the EEC when membership was approved by 67% of voters.[2] The referendum will also be held in and affect the status of Gibraltar, a UK overseas territory.[3]

Those in favour of a British withdrawal from the European Union – sometimes referred to as British exit or Brexit[4][a] – argue that being a member of the EU undermines Parliamentary sovereignty, while those in favour of membership argue that in a world with many levels of supranational organisations any theoretical loss of sovereignty is more than compensated by the benefits of membership of the EU. It is argued by those that support Brexit (most British Eurosceptics) that restoration of sovereignty would allow the UK to be better able to control immigration, be in a better position to conduct its own trade negotiations, and be free from what they believe to be unnecessary EU regulations and bureaucracy. Those in favour of remaining in the EU argue that leaving the EU would risk the UK's prosperity, diminish its influence over world affairs, and result in trade barriers between the UK and the EU.

History

See also: European Communities Act 1972 (UK) and European Union Act 2011
Rt Hon. David Cameron MP

In Jan 2013, David Cameron promised that, should the Conservatives win a parliamentary majority at the 2015 general election, the UK Government would negotiate more favourable arrangements for continuing British membership of the EU, before holding a referendum as to whether the UK should remain in or leave the EU.[6] German and French political leaders countered by warning that the UK could not pick and choose its membership terms while simultaneously advocating Britain should continue its membership.[7] However, some public polls in France and Germany favoured a British exit.[7] The United States also warned against a British exit from the European Union, arguing that it would reduce the British "voice" in the EU as well as not being in the national interest of the United States.[8]

In response to David Cameron's January 2013 speech on the EU, several countries submitted their views on the proposal and as to UK-EU relations. The U.S. Obama administration expressed its belief that the United Kingdom is stronger in the European Union, and that the EU is stronger for having Britain as a member.[9] The German Defence Minister, Thomas de Maiziere, threatened that Brexit could diminish British influence in NATO,[10] while French President François Hollande, speaking at the European Parliament, said there could be no à la carte option for European Union membership,[11] later pronouncing: if "British people do not like the EU - leave!"[12] In response to British Foreign Secretary William Hague's review of EU competencies, the Japanese Government stated: "The Government of Japan...expects that the UK will maintain a strong voice and continue to play a major role in the EU".[13] In July 2013, a letter from the Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said "Australia recognises the UK's strength and resilience and looks forward to seeing it continue as a leading economy and effective power. Strong effective membership of the EU contributes to this."[14] The Swedish Finance Minister, Anders Borg, empathised that EU regulation is a serious matter, and that for Sweden the issue also raises some concerns and [Brexit] could reorient the EU.[15]

When the Conservative Party proceeded to win a majority of seats in the House of Commons in the May 2015 general election, David Cameron reiterated his Party's manifesto commitment to hold an "In-Out" referendum on UK membership of the European Union by the end of 2017, but only after 'negotiating a new settlement for Britain in the EU'.[16] The planned referendum was included in The Queen's Speech on 27 May 2015.[17] It is thought that Cameron is planning to hold this referendum in October 2016,[18] Government-sponsored legislation to authorise the referendum having been put before the House of Commons in May 2015.[19]

Cameron had previously rejected proposals to hold a referendum on Britain's membership of the EU, but had suggested the possibility of a referendum at some later date to ensure that the UK's position within an evolving EU had the "full-hearted support of the British people".[20] Under Ed Miliband's leadership between 2010 and 2015, the Labour Party ruled out an In-Out referendum unless there were a further transfer of powers from the UK to the EU.[21] In their manifesto for the 2015 general election the Liberal Democrats pledged to hold an In-Out referendum only in the case of there being a change in the EU treaties.[22] The UK Independence Party (UKIP), the British National Party, the Green Party,[23] and the Respect Party[24] all supported the principle of a referendum.

Private Member's Bill

In May 2013, the Conservative Party published a draft EU Referendum Bill and outlined their plans for renegotiation and then an In-Out vote if returned to office in 2015.[25] The draft Bill stated that the referendum must be held no later than 31 December 2017.[26]

The draft legislation was initially taken forward as a Private Member's Bill by Conservative MP James Wharton.[27] The Bill's First Reading in the House of Commons took place on 19 June 2013.[28] David Cameron, was said by a spokesperson to be "very pleased" and would ensure the Bill was given "the full support of the Conservative Party".[29]

Regarding the ability of the Bill to bind the UK Government in the 2015-20 Parliament to holding such a referendum, a parliamentary research paper noted that:

"The Bill simply provides for a referendum on continued EU membership by the end of December 2017 and does not otherwise specify the timing, other than requiring the Secretary of State to bring forward orders by the end of 2016. These orders would need both Houses to agree to the detailed rules for the poll and the date. If no party obtained a majority at the [next general election due in 2015], there might be some uncertainty about the passage of the orders in the next Parliament. Unless the orders are passed, it would not appear possible to hold the referendum, since the day and the conduct of the poll would not have received parliamentary assent."[30]

The Bill received its Second Reading on 5 July 2013 passing by 304 votes to none after almost all Labour MPs and all Liberal Democrat MPs abstained,[31] finally clearing the Commons in November 2013, before it was introduced to the House of Lords in December 2013, where it failed to progress after the Lords voted to block the Bill.[32]

Conservative MP Bob Neill introduced an Alternative Referendum Bill to the Commons having coming third in the annual ballot for Private Members' Bills on 2 July 2014.[33][34] After a debate on 17 October 2014, it passed to the Public Bills Committee, but due to the Commons failing to pass a monetary resolution the Bill was unable to progress further before the Dissolution of Parliament on 27 March 2015.[35][36]

Television debates

In March and April 2014, in the run-up to European Parliament elections, two head-to-head debates between Nick Clegg and Nigel Farage on the issue of leaving the EU were broadcast in the UK.[37] The first hour-long debate, hosted by Nick Ferrari, was broadcast on radio station LBC on 26 March,[38][39][40][41] and was followed by The European Union: In or Out, televised live on BBC Two on 2 April.[37]

Impromptu polls by YouGov and ICM suggested that Farage was the better performer in the debate,[42] but the BBC's Nick Robinson suggested in his analysis that "history will record that Nigel Farage was the winner of these debates. Nick Clegg will hope that, nevertheless, he may have won something too by being seen to challenge Britain's political insurgent."[43]

On 14 February 2016 former Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond challenged Nigel Farage to a head-to-head debate on the Murnaghan Show on Sky News - to which Farage subsequently accepted.[44]

EU Referendum Act

Main article: European Union Referendum Act 2015

Before the 2015 general election, the Conservatives pledged in their manifesto to legislate for an EU Referendum to be held by the end of 2017.[16] Following the surprise election of a Conservative majority government on 7 May, Cameron reiterated that pledge, suggesting it might be brought forward to 2016.[45][46] The UK Government included the planned referendum in The Queen's Speech on 27 May[17] and introduced the European Union Referendum Bill 2015–16 in the House of Commons on the next day.

Shortly after his re-election, Cameron visited a number of EU leaders to discuss renegotiation and treaty change with a view to reaching agreement before the referendum.[47]

In contrast to the Labour Party's position prior to the 2015 general election under Ed Miliband, Acting Labour Leader Harriet Harman committed her Party to supporting plans for an EU referendum by 2017.[48] The Liberal Democrats oppose a Referendum before 2017, suggesting one should only take place in the event of further proposed changes to the Treaties of the European Union.[49] In its 2015 election manifesto, the Democratic Unionist Party offered clear support for an EU referendum.[50]

Referendum question

Initially, the proposed question for the European Union Referendum Bill as put before Parliament was :

Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?

and in Welsh :

A ddylai’r Deyrnas Unedig aros yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd?

permitting a simple YES / NO answer.

Subsequently the Electoral Commission has recommended the proposed question be revised to :

Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?

Remain a member of the European Union
Leave the European Union

and in Welsh :

A ddylai’r Deyrnas Unedig aros yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd neu adael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd?

Aros yn aelod o’r Undeb Ewropeaidd
Gadael yr Undeb Ewropeaidd

Research by the Electoral Commission confirmed that its recommended question "was clear and straightforward for voters, and was the most neutral wording from the range of options ... considered and tested".[51] This change was accepted by the government in September 2015, shortly before the bill's third reading.[52]

Procedure

There is no precedent for a sovereign member state leaving the European Union or any of its predecessor organisations. However, three territories of EU member states have withdrawn: Algeria (1962, independence from France),[53] Greenland (1985)[54] and Saint Barthélemy (2012),[55] the latter two becoming Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union.

The Treaty of Lisbon, which came into force on 1 December 2009, introduced for the first time a procedure for a member state to withdraw voluntarily from the EU.[56] This is specified in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union,[57] which states that a member state may notify the European Council that it wishes to withdraw, upon which withdrawal negotiations begin. If no other agreement is reached the treaty ceases to apply to the withdrawing state two years after such notification.

Remaining members of the EU consequently would need to undertake negotiations to manage change over the EU's budgets, voting allocations and policies brought about by the withdrawal of any member state.[58]

Results of a withdrawal

Main article: United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union

Were the UK electorate to vote to leave the EU, its subsequent relationship with the remaining EU members could take several forms. A research paper presented to the UK Parliament proposed a number of alternatives to membership which would continue to allow access with the EU internal market. These include remaining in the European Economic Area (EEA) as a European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member, or seeking to negotiate bilateral terms along the Swiss model with a series of interdependent sectoral agreements.[59]

Were the UK to join the European Economic Area as an EFTA member, it would have to sign up to EU internal market legislation without being able to vote on its content. However the EU is required to conduct extensive consultations with non-EU members beforehand via its many committees and cooperative bodies.[60][61] It is also worth noting that some EU Law originates from various international bodies on which non-EU EEA countries have a seat. The EEA Agreement (EU and EFTA members except Switzerland) does not cover Common Agriculture and Fisheries Policies, Customs Union, Common Trade Policy, Common Foreign and Security Policy, direct and indirect Taxation, and Police and Judicial Co-operation in Criminal Matters, leaving EFTA members free to set their own policies in these areas;[62] however, EFTA countries are required to contribute to the EU Budget in exchange for access to the internal market.[63][64] The Icelandic Government decided to keep this status, withdrawing their application for EU membership in March 2015.[65] Through its bilateral accords with the EU, Switzerland does not have privileged access to the internal market for services with the consequence for example that the Swiss banking sector has to maintain a major alternative presence inside the EU.

Around 1.4 million British nationals have exercised their right to freedom of movement to live, work or study in the European Union according to the British Government.[66] British citizens are currently able to study in EEA countries at the same cost as charged to their own nationals: this arrangement applies equally between EU states, and would likely be terminated were Britain to leave the EU/EEA. The status of the Common Travel Area between a UK outside the EU and EU member Ireland remains to be clarified.

UKIP have proposed that the UK should attempt to create a Commonwealth Free Trade Area to compensate for any trade lost by leaving the European Single Market.[67] The idea of a series of bilateral free trade agreements, or even a full Commonwealth Free Trade Area was discussed at the 2005 Malta Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. In response, the European Movement argued that the UK trades more with Ireland than with all other leading developing countries combined, the so-called BRIC economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China (only one of which, India, is in the Commonwealth).[68] The European Movement also suggested that the British economy is most similar to other European economies as opposed to other countries.[68]

A report by Tim Oliver of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs expanded analysis of what a British withdrawal could mean for the EU: the report argues a UK withdrawal "has the potential to fundamentally change the EU and European integration. On the one hand, a withdrawal could tip the EU towards protectionism, exacerbate existing division, or unleash centrifugal forces leading to the EU’s unravelling. Alternatively, the EU could free itself of its most awkward member, making the EU easier to lead and more effective."[58] Both The Financial Times[69] and The Guardian[70] publish regular comment on Euro finance and EU opinion.

Leading figures both supportive and not of Scottish Independence have suggested that in the event the UK as a whole votes to leave the EU but Scotland as a whole votes to remain in the EU, that in such a scenario it is likely to provoke a second Scottish Independence referendum.[71][72] Indeed, former Labour Scottish First Minister Henry McLeish has said that he would support Scottish Independence under such circumstances.[73]

UK universities rely on the EU for around 16% of their total research funding, and are disproportionately successful at winning EU-awarded research grants. This has raised questions about how such funding would be affected by a British exit.[74] However, the UK is a net contributor to the EU, so if the UK were to vote to leave, the funding could simply be continued by central government.[citation needed]

Response

Formal political campaigns

As of October 2015, there is a cross-party, formal group campaigning for Britain to remain a member, called Britain Stronger in Europe, while there are two campaigns promoting exit: Leave.EU and Vote Leave.[75] There is also a cross-party grassroots campaigning for Britain to vote leave called Grassroots Out, which is designed to supplement whichever of the leave groups is chosen by the Electoral Commission. The Conservatives have a Eurosceptic pressure group called Conservatives for Britain which will announce its position at the conclusion of David Cameron's negotiations.

Party policies

This table lists only those political parties that have at least one MP, MSP, AM, MLA or MEP.

Position Political Parties Ref
Remain style="background-color: Template:Alliance Party of Northern Ireland/meta/color" | Alliance Party [76][77]
style="background-color: Template:Green Party of England and Wales/meta/color" | Green Party England and Wales [78]
style="background-color: Template:Green Party in Northern Ireland/meta/color" | Northern Ireland [79]
style="background-color: Template:Scottish Green Party/meta/color" | Scotland [80]
style="background-color: Template:Labour Party (UK)/meta/color" | Labour Party [81][82]
style="background-color: Template:Liberal Democrats/meta/color" | Liberal Democrats [83]
style="background-color: Template:NI21/meta/color" | NI21 [84]
style="background-color: Template:Plaid Cymru/meta/color" | Plaid Cymru [85]
style="background-color: Template:Scottish National Party/meta/color" | Scottish National Party (SNP) [86][87]
style="background-color: Template:Sinn Féin/meta/color" | Sinn Féin [88]
style="background-color: Template:Social Democratic and Labour Party/meta/color" | Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) [89]
Leave style="background-color: Template:Democratic Unionist Party/meta/color" | Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) [90]
style="background-color: Template:Traditional Unionist Voice/meta/color" | Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) [91]
style="background-color: Template:UK Independence Party/meta/color" | UK Independence Party (UKIP) [92]
Leave, if 'major reform'[93] is not achieved style="background-color: Template:Ulster Unionist Party/meta/color" | Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) [93]
formally neutral style="background-color: Template:Conservative Party (UK)/meta/color" | Conservative Party [94][95][96]

No party has decreed that its members should all follow the party line,[citation needed] resulting in notable public differences of view: Conservative Party MPs in particular, and Labour MPs to a lesser extent, are taking different sides.

Cabinet Ministers' positions

Position Minister
Remain George Osborne (Chancellor)[97]
Philip Hammond (Foreign Secretary)[98]
Theresa May (Home Secretary)[99]
Leave Chris Grayling (Leader of the House of Commons)[100]
Iain Duncan Smith (Secretary for Work and Pensions)[101]
Priti Patel (Minister for Employment)[102]

Politicians campaigning independently to remain in the EU

Politicians campaigning independently to leave the EU

Media promoting UK remaining in the EU

Media promoting UK departure from the EU

Local government promoting UK remaining in the EU

Local government promoting UK departure from the EU

The Havering Borough Council became the first council in the UK to back brexit.[138] Thanet District Council also has, by proxy, a majority of councillors in favour of leaving the EU.[139]

Business opinion

Various UK multinationals have stated that they are pro-EU so as to preserve the status quo, such as Shell,[140] BT[141] and Vodafone,[142] with some assessing the pros-and-cons of Britain exiting.[143] The banking sector is one of the most vocal advocating to stay in the EU, with the British Bankers Association saying: 'Businesses don't like that kind of uncertainty'.[144] RBS has warned of potential damage to the economy.[145] Furthermore, HSBC, JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank envisage that a Brexit might result in them changing domicile.[146][147] All such factors could impact on the City of London's present status as a European and global market leader in financial services.[148][149]

In the transportation industry, most companies so far have declared as being pro-EU, such as car manufacturers Ford and BMW who have warned Prime Minister David Cameron against Brexit, suggesting it would be "devastating" for the economy.[150] Conversely, some other manufacturing executives have stated that 'British plants were not at risk were the country to leave'.[151] The CEO of Vauxhall has stated that a Brexit would not materially affect its business,[152] as has JCB.[153][failed verification]. The CEO of Toyota, Akio Toyoda, confirmed that whether or not Britain left the EU, Toyota would carry on manufacturing cars in Britain as they had done before.[154]

A February–March 2013 survey of 4,387 companies by the business lobby group, British Chambers of Commerce, found that 18 per cent of UK companies were in favour of complete withdrawal from the European Union,[155] and that 33 per cent of businesses were in favour of withdrawal while negotiating free trade deals, although 60 per cent suspected a withdrawal could "harm their business",[155] with 23 per cent saying that further integration could be "beneficial" to their company;[155] commenting on the survey, the group's director-general, John Longworth, said "These findings suggest that U.K. businesses increasingly feel that some sort of change to Britain’s relationship with the EU is needed to boost our trading prospects."

In September 2013, a YouGov/Business for Britain survey of 1024 UK business leaders found that by 46% – 37%, British businesses declared that the costs of Single Market membership out weigh the benefits of being in the EU, by 66% – 26%, businesses support a referendum over the EU, and by 56% – 23%, business leaders believe a meaningful change would necessitate treaty change, and would like to see Britain's relationship with the EU focus on trade.[156]

Ratings agency response

On 11 June 2015, the credit rating agency Standard & Poors altered its outlook for the UK economy from 'neutral' to 'negative', saying that the referendum "represents a risk to growth prospects" for the country's economy.[157] (As of June 2015, S&P is now the sole rating agency giving the UK AAA-rating.[157])

International responses

United States

In an interview with BBC News in July 2015, President Barack Obama confirmed the longstanding U.S. preference for the UK to remain in the EU. Obama said that the EU has made the world safer and more prosperous" and said: "Having the UK in the EU gives us much greater confidence about the strength of the transatlantic union, and is part of the cornerstone of the institutions built after [the second world war] that has made the world safer and more prosperous. We want to make sure that the United Kingdom continues to have that influence."[158]

In October 2015, United States Trade Representative Michael Froman declared that the United States is not keen on pursuing a separate free trade agreement (FTA) with Britain if it leaves the European Union, thus undermining a key economic argument of proponents of those who say Britain would prosper on its own and be able to secure bilateral FTAs with trading partners.[159]

Also in October 2015, the American ambassador to the United Kingdom, Matthew Barzun, said that UK participation in NATO and the EU made each group "better and stronger" and that, while the decision to remain or leave is choice for the British people, it is in the U.S. interest that it remain. Barzun said: "We would love a strong UK in a strong EU."[160]

In February 2016, the New York Times published an editorial entitled "Everyone Loses if Britain Exits the E.U." The Times editorial board opined that British withdrawal "would be a tragedy for Britain, other European nations, and for a world that needs a united and prosperous Europe."[161]

Exit plan competition

Following David Cameron's announcement of an EU referendum, British think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) announced in July 2013 a competition to find the best plan for a UK exit from the European Union, declaring that a departure is a 'real possibility' after the next election.[162] Those interested were asked to submit a 2,000-word proposal by 16 September 2013, with seventeen of the best entrants being asked to produce a more detailed version.[163] Eight judges: Professor Philip Booth, Roger Bootle, Dr Stephen Davies, Tim Frost, Ruth Lea, Professor Martin Ricketts, David Starkey, Gisela Stuart and chaired by former Chancellor Nigel Lawson, decided the winner.[163] The winning entry was awarded 100,000 euros (£86,525), and was announced on 8 April 2014.[163][164]

Iain Mansfield, a Cambridge graduate and UKTI diplomat, submitted the winning thesis: A Blueprint for Britain: Openness not Isolation.[163] Mansfield's submission focused on addressing both trade and regulatory issues with EU members as well as other UK global trading partners.[164][165]

Cross-party Exploratory Committee for EU Referendum

Seven Eurosceptic MPs from three nationwide parties formed a group acting as precursor to the Out Campaign for the EU referendum;[166] these include UKIP's only MP Douglas Carswell MP, Conservative MPs Bernard Jenkin and Owen Paterson, as well as Labour MPs Kate Hoey and Graham Stringer.[167]

Opinion polling

Main article: Opinion polling for the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum
Opinion polling on the referendum

Since 2010, polls have indicated that the British public are divided on the question, with opposition to EU membership peaking in November 2012 at 56% compared with 30% who prefer to remain in,[168] while in June 2015 those in favour of Britain remaining in the EU reached 43% versus those opposed 36%.[169] The largest ever poll (of 20,000 people, in March 2014) showed the public evenly split on the issue, with 41% in favour of withdrawal, 41% in favour of membership, and 18% undecided.[170] However, when asked how they would vote if Britain renegotiated the terms of its membership of the EU, and the UK Government stated that British interests had been satisfactorily protected, more than 50% indicated that they would vote for Britain to stay in.[171] Analysis of polling suggests that young voters tend to support remaining in the EU, whereas those older tend to support leaving, but there is no gender split in attitudes.[172][173] Big business is broadly behind remaining in the EU, though the situation among smaller companies is less clear cut.[174]

Issues

Offical currencies of EU

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has asked the Brussel to add a provision to the European treaties for ensuring that the EU is a multi-currency bloc. However ECB President Mario Draghi said that euro was the single currency in the European Union, and that the Eurozone would continue to follow the path of much greater integration.[175] BoE Governor Mark Carney indicated that euro zone policymakers should not strongly request Britain to create a fiscal union, adding that the currency bloc must give the UK a "principled" and "upfront" guarantee that the EU is a multi-currency union.[175]

Counting areas

Manchester Central Arena will be the venue where the result of the referendum will be declared by the Chief Counting Officer for the whole of the United Kingdom (including Gibraltar).

The referendum will be held nationally across all four countries of the United Kingdom as a single majority vote in 382 local counting areas and 12 regional counting areas. In England the 326 districts will be used as the local counting areas as were used in the 2011 AV Referendum which will then feed into the nine English regional counting areas. In Scotland the local counting areas will be the 32 local councils which will then fed into the Scottish national counting area and in Wales the 22 local councils will be their local counting areas before then being fed into the Walsh national counting area. Northern Ireland will again be a single national and regional counting area. Gibraltar will be a single local counting area and its result will be fed into the south west regional counting area. [citation needed]

There has been protest by some residents of the Isle of Man, and the other Crown Dependencies Jersey and Guernsey, that they should have the opportunity to vote in the referendum, as EU membership affects them also.[176][177]

The following table shows the breakdown of the counting areas for the referendum within the United Kingdom.

Country Counting areas
 United Kingdom 12 Regional counting areas
382 Local counting areas
Constituent countries Counting areas
 England 9 Regional counting areas
326 Local counting areas
Northern Ireland Single local/national counting area
 Scotland National counting area
32 Local counting areas
 Wales National counting area
22 Local counting areas
UK Overseas Territory Counting areas
 Gibraltar South West regional counting area
Single local counting area

See also

Members of the European Union

Further reading

Notes

  1. ^ The terms Brexit and Brixit were apparently first coined in June 2012; Brixit was first used by a columnist in The Economist, while Brexit was first used by a British nationalist group. The terms were probably inspired by the phase Grexit, shorthand for Greek withdrawal from the eurozone. The term Brexit first became a widely used buzzword in 2013.[5]

References

  1. ^ "European Union Referendum Bill (HC Bill 2)". Publications.parliament.uk. 28 May 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  2. ^ Adrian Williamson, The Case for Brexit: Lessons from the 1960s and 1970s, History and Policy (2015)
  3. ^ "CONFIRMED: Gibraltar to vote in European referendum". Gibraltar Panorama. 26 May 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
  4. ^ Fraser, Douglas (10 August 2012). "The Great British Brexit". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  5. ^ BuzzWord: Brexit also Brixit, Macmillan Dictionary (February 12, 2013)
  6. ^ "David Cameron Pledges EU Referendum if Conservatives Win Next Election". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 24 January 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  7. ^ a b "EU Leaders Warn Cameron Over Membership Referendum". British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  8. ^ "U.S. Alarm Bells Over Cameron's EU Speech". British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  9. ^ MacAskill, Ewen; Jonathan Kalman; Jason Burke (23 January 2013). "Obama administration reiterates belief UK is stronger within EU". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  10. ^ "Germany warns UK over leaving EU". The Daily Express. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  11. ^ Hewitt, Gavin (5 February 2013). "France's Hollande rejects 'a la carte' attitude to EU". British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  12. ^ "Francois Hollande tells British Eurosceptics: 'If you do not like the EU - leave!' - Daily Mail Online". Mail Online.
  13. ^ "The UK Government's Review of the Balance of Competencies between the United Kingdom and the European Union: Contribution by the Government of Japan". Government of Japan. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  14. ^ "Australia tells Britain not to forsake the European Union". Reuters London. 23 July 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  15. ^ Milne, Richard (27 February 2013). "Cameron faces cool Nordic reception". Financial Times. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  16. ^ a b The Conservative Party Manifesto 2015 (PDF). Conservative Party. p. 30. Retrieved 16 May 2015.
  17. ^ a b "Queen's Speech 2015: EU referendum, tax freeze and right-to-buy". BBC News. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  18. ^ correspondent, Nicholas Watt Chief political. "David Cameron may bring EU referendum forward to 2016". the Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2015. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  19. ^ "European Union Referendum Bill 2015-16". parliament.uk. Retrieved 24 September 2015.
  20. ^ "PM's EU poll move 'jam tomorrow'". Associated Press. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
  21. ^ "Miliband: EU poll is 'clear and present danger' to jobs". BBC News. Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  22. ^ "Liberal Democrats Hint Cameron's EU Referendum Plan Negotiable". Retrieved 4 June 2015.
  23. ^ "Yes to an EU Referendum: Green MP Calls for Chance to Build a Better Europe". Green Party of England and Wales. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  24. ^ "The EU". Respect Party. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  25. ^ "David Cameron: EU referendum bill shows only Tories listen". British Broadcasting Corporation. 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 July 2013.
  26. ^ "European Union (Referendum) Bill (HC Bill 11)". UK Parliament. Retrieved 3 January 2014.
  27. ^ "Private Members' Bills". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  28. ^ "Presentation of Bills". Parliament.uk. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  29. ^ "EU referendum: Tory MP will take forward bill". British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2013.
  30. ^ European Union (Referendum) Bill, Bill 11 of 2013–14 Research Paper 13/41, Dated: 28 June 2013, Page 1, accessdate: 5 July 2014.
  31. ^ McTague, Tom (5 July 2013). "EU referendum: MPs vote unanimously for 2017 poll but Commons Bill branded "complete stunt"". The Mirror. Retrieved 5 July 2014.
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