To say that the Brexit debate is heated, is being very charitable to the emotional upheaval it has caused.
Bob Geldof’s flotilla goes head to head with Nigel Farage’s. The Mirror captured it in a most amusing way. Farage is pro-Brexit; Geldof is for staying in the Union.
On a more sober note, in an absolute senseless tragedy, 41-year old Jo Cox, a rising star in British Parliament, was gunned down on the streets. This created a wave of revulsion since the alleged murderer, who shouted in court “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain”, was a home-grown right-wing political extremist.
What does Brexit stand for?
John Oliver in his most entertaining style on Last Week Tonight says it sounds like a sh#### granola bar you bought at the airport.
Jokes aside, Brexit is a word that has become used as a shorthand way of saying the Britain leaving the European Union, or EU. A portmanteau of the words “Britain” or “British” and “exit”. A BBC presenter noted that the two most surprising political phenomena of this year have been the rise of Donald Trump and the success of the ‘Leave Europe’ camp.
Incidentally, you would recall that the possibility of Greece exiting the EU was dubbed Grexit.
When is the referendum to decide on the exit?
On June 23, 2016, which is the coming Thursday, Britain will hold a referendum on whether to remain in or leave the European Union.
Who can vote in this referendum?
As with other elections in Britain, only people aged 18 and over will be allowed to cast their vote.
- British, Irish and Commonwealth citizens who are resident in the UK.
- UK nationals living abroad who have been on the electoral register in the UK in the past 15 years.
- Members of the House of Lords and Commonwealth citizens in Gibraltar.
- Individuals from European countries cannot vote, unless they come from Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, which are part of the British Commonwealth.
- Migrants from 54 Commonwealth countries – including Australia, Canada, India, Pakistan and Nigeria – can join the electoral roll as long as they live in the UK.
Why is a referendum being held?
Over 40 years ago, Britain voted to stay in the European Union (then the European Economic Community). A lot has changed since then. So Prime Minister David Cameron decided that it is only right for the citizens to have a say and settle this issue.
In 2013, Cameron pledged to hold a referendum on continued membership if he won 2015’s general election. Naturally, he has to stand by his promise.
Which countries comprise the European Union?
Currently the EU has 28 member countries. You can see the list here.
What are the reasons people want to leave or stay in the EU?
Skeptics of the EU argue that the referendum is a historic opportunity to take back control of Britain's borders in order to protect the country’s identity and independence. They believe that immigration can only be curbed and controlled by Britain’s exit from the EU, because the EU allows citizens to live and work in any member country.
They are also of the opinion that EU membership imposes cumbersome regulation on business. Britain’s loss of full authority over its economic policies and regulations has rankled many of the country’s citizens.
Proponents include former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and other senior figures within Cameron’s Party.
Those who are for staying within the EU believe that it is better for the British economy and that concerns about migration and other issues are not important enough to outweigh the economic consequences of leaving.
Cameron wishes to remain in the EU. He has admitted that controlling immigration is challenging, but counters that that leaving the EU would be counterproductive because it would damage the economy and cost jobs. U.S. President Barack Obama supports his decision. Donald Trump backs Brexit.
Since no country has quit the EU, one really cannot predict the repercussions which would affect the currency, foreign direct investment, exports (Europe is Britain’s most important export market), trade agreements, the fate of European citizens living in the UK as well as other numerous issues.
