# EU Referendum ## aka 'Brexit' `Britain will hold a referendum in June` on `whether to leave` the `European Union.` Known as `'Brexit'` the issue is `increasingly dividing national opinion`. # EU Referendum Details `The referendum will be held on 23 June`. The `question:` “Should the UK remain a member of the EU or leave the EU?” Voters can choose to `remain a member of the European Union` or `Leave the European Union` This is Britain's `second EU referendum.` ## The History of `Brexit` # The Brexit Debate The main issues relate to `economics`, `borders`, `sovereignty` and how Britain’s relationship with Europe would change. These guys are a good unbiased source: http://openeurope.org.uk/ # Issues: The Economy Britain's economy is central to the `Brexit` debate. Questions of `investment`, `trade,` and `Britain's links with the Eurozone,` divide the stay and leave campaigns. - Move into other cards.... Eurosceptics say the EU `single-market system` is `burdened with 'red-tape'` that `ties Britain to a weak economy.` Pro-EU backers say its `easier to reduce red tape from within the EU,` that`remaining provides freer trade` and that there will be new `safeguards against the Eurozone.` ## What is the EU Single-Market? The EU and the single-market is `Britain's largest trading partner,` accounting for about `50% of exports.` But Britain has a big trade deficit with the rest of the EU. A functioning single-market system treats the EU as `one territory` without many regulatory obstacles to promote the free movement of goods and services. ## Benefits to the Single-Market The single-market gives EU businesses access to `500 million consumers` and accounts for `the majority of EU employment.` # Trade Imports and exports add up to `2/3 of the UK's economy,` and EU trade accounts for 50% of Britain's exports. Pro-EU campaigners worry `disruptions to trade will have severe economic consequences,` while Out backers say `Britain can negotiate new agreements to protect trade`. # Investment & The City of London London is the `powerhouse of the UK economy and a global financial centre.` As such, it brings many multi-national companies and banks to the UK. Pro-EU backers say the UK is too `integrated with European financial markets` to leave and exiting will `cause international companies to leave the country.` Eurosceptics say London will remain attractive to investors even after "Brexit." They stress `leaving will ensure EU regulations won't prevent development.` # New trade agreements? `similar to Norway` ## How Norway Trades with the EU # London: The UK's Economic Heartbeat # UK & the European Financial Markets # Banks Threaten to Leave if UK "Brexits" Leaders at major banks like `JP Morgan` and `Goldman Sachs` have threatened to leave London if Britain exits the EU. If banks make good on their threat, pro-EU supporters worry that other multi-national companies will follow suit. Eurosceptics XXXXXXX. Bosses at some of Britain's largest companies - including BT, Marks & Spencer and Vodafone - recently `co-signed an editorial about the threat a "Brexit" poses to jobs.` # EU Regulations Slow Investment # Britain and the Eurozone # Issues: Borders The debate focuses heavily on the `EU's free movement of people`, from `general economic immigration to refugees such as those in the migrant crisis`. Also linked are `cross-border security issues such as terrorism`. # EU and free movement One of the `founding principles of the EU`, all citizens are entitled to `free movement` between countries under `Article 45 of the TFEU`. This includes the right to movement and residency for workers; the right to movement and residency for family members; and the right to be treated as equal to nationals when working in another `Member State`. ##Issues: Immigration Immigration is a hotly debated topic in the UK, `especially in recent years, for various reasons`. Generally the issue can be divided into `general economic migrants` (who move across borders in search of a better life), `refugees who are fleeing conflict and hoping to claim asylum`, which together have contributed to what has become known as`the migrant crisis`. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34131911 ##Immigration: Economic migration Currently, all EU citizens have the right to move between member states to live and work. Pro-EU campaigners believe that this is beneficial to `EU economies`, particularly in Britain which attracts many `skilled EU workers`. However, Eurosceptics argue that British jobs, benefits and the NHS should be `primarily available for British nationals`, and that migrants from the EU strain on the economy. ##Immigration: Refugees and migrant crisis The `Syrian civil war`, `wars in Afghanistan and Iraq`, and serious poverty in North Africa have all led to a vast increase in migrants coming into the EU. `Out campaigners` argue that leaving the EU will avoid Britain having to adopt a `quota system for refugees`, and distance ourselves from the ongoing crisis. But `Remain campaigners` say that Britain has a moral obligation to help `asylum seekers coming into the EU`, particularly from Afghanistan and Syria considering `Britain's recent involvements`. ##Issues: Security The current `free movement across borders` guaranteed by the EU is feared by some to facilitate security problems such as `crime`, `people smuggling` and `terrorism`. However, the European Union can also facilitate coordinated responses to crime between countries, and a sharing of intelligence that can help to prevent security issues. ##Terrorism People fear the real possibility of a `terrorist attack` in Britain, such as those in `Paris` or `Brussels`. `Out campaigners` say that remaining in the EU leaves Britain more at risk, because attackers can hide among people moving legitimately across borders. However, the pro-EU campaigners argue that the EU community shares intelligence and presents a `united front against terrorism`. ## Issues: Sovereignty A key `Brexit` issue is over how much power the EU has over Britain. This is mainly about `where and how laws are made`, and `how much the UK is tied into the idea of an 'ever-closer union'`. -- *Eurosceptics `believe that Brussels' concentrated power gives the EU supremacy over Parliament.`* *Pro-EU backers generally want to make sure Britain is not subject to the concept of an `ever closer union` enshrined in `the EU treaty.`* Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12175398/EU-Referendum-everything-you-need-to-know-about-British-sovereignty.html* # UK vs EU lawmaking An `estimated 17% of UK law is derived from the EU`, `mostly relating to agriculture.` Out campaigners complain about `so-called 'red tape' issues` whereas in campaigners say these are often - In 1972, Parliament passed the `European Communities Act` which recognised the primacy of EU law over UK law In 1972, Parliament passed the European Communities Act which recognised the primacy of EU law over UK law # 'Red Tape' EU law # Britain and the 'ever-closer union' The `EU` has `long expressed a desire for an 'ever-closer union of peoples'`, a wording with a `symbolic rather than legal basis`. Out campaigners worry `this still draws Britain further into the EU`, but In campaigners say `the exceptions for Britain will prevent this`. # 'Ever-closer union' The treaties say “ever closer union of the peoples” of Europe... - No legal meaning - No specific political meaning, although it has implications # Meaning of 'Brexit' Brexit is the abbreviation of `"British Exit"` and refers to the `possibility that Britain will withdraw from the European Union`. It mirrors the word `"Grexit"` which was used during talks of Greece exiting the EU. ## A Country Divided `The ‘Brexit’ debate` has divided the country into `Eurosceptics` who wish to leave, and Pro-EU backers who wish to remain. The debate also splits citizens `based on region` and across `political parities,` `age,` and `educational backgrounds.` The main campaigns are `Remain` to stay in, and `Vote Leave` and `Leave.EU` to exit. ## Conservative House Divided... `David Cameron` firmly backs those who wish to ‘remain’ in the EU, but `many members of his own Conservative party` are in favour of the ‘leave’ campaign, including `London Mayor Boris Johnson.` ###Demographics of Brexit If you `live in Scotland,` have a `university education` and are `below the age of 30,` you're more likely to want to stay in the EU, according to a `recent YouGov survey.` ## What happens to Scotland if we 'Brexit?' A Brexit could force `another independence referendum` in Scotland. More than half of Scots say they would vote to leave the UK if England chooses to 'Brexit,' according to a February Ipsos MORI poll. Scotland is the most pro-EU region in the UK. ## Regional Brexit Divide Scotland is them most pro-EU region of the UK, closely followed by London. Residents in `Yorkshire,` `West Midlands` and `East Anglia` are more likely to back leaving the Union. Source:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12086589/EU-referendum-Who-in-Britain-wants-to-leave-and-who-wants-to-remain.html ## Eurosceptics Eurosceptics refers to someone who is opposed to the increasing power of the European Union. The media also uses the term to refer to those who wish to leave the EU. # What is the European Union? The EU is the `politico-economic union` of `28 member states` that are located primarily in Europe. Originally created after WWII to `encourage trade in the hopes that it would prevent future conflict,` over the years, the `duties have evolved` and in 1993 the EU in its `singe-market capacity` was created. ## Which Countries belong to the EU? ![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/59/Member_States_of_the_European_Union_%28polar_stereographic_projection%29_EN.svg/359px-Member_States_of_the_European_Union_%28polar_stereographic_projection%29_EN.svg.png) ## How does the EU work?