The British vote on their future and that of the European Union – The Point

The British vote Thursday on their membership in the European Union at a historic referendum that is played on the razor’s edge and will determine their future and that of Europe.

At outcome of a passionate campaign focused on immigration and economic prosperity, a record number of citizens, or 46.5 million, were registered to vote, from 0600 GMT. The end result should be announced in the early hours on Friday.

Brexit Two polls published yesterday gave a slight lead to an output of the Union, or Brexit (British Exit), but placed third maintenance head, leaving the entire suspense. Bookmakers, they resolutely betting on a victory in keeping the EU at 76% against 24%

Voters must answer the question. “Should the UK remain a member the European Union or leave the European Union? “. They then choose between two boxes, Staying or Leaving the European Union.

The stakes are high and all the European leaders intervened to retain the British, aware that their departure would pose a threat of disintegration of the club of EU member countries.

in addition to the immediate economic consequences for the country –forts market turmoil and likely fall in livre– a Brexit would be damaging to the longer term, have warned all major international institutions, the IMF, the OECD.

It would open a period of political turbulence, with probable departure of Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, who initiated the referendum and led the campaign for a hold in the EU. It could also lead to a breakup of the United Kingdom if the Scots Europhile, were carrying their plan to hold a referendum on independence

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David Cameron

David Cameron, who plays his career and his place in history, pleaded until the last day to convince his fellow citizens to remain in the EU, hammering the country there would be “more prosperous, safer and stronger” and warned against a “leap of faith (…) irreversible.”

the Labor opposition party and the Scottish nationalist SNP were placed in the camp of the “in”, with the City of London, the financial heart of the capital, who wants to maintain its role in the EU entry point for foreign firms.

side Brexit, former Mayor of London Boris Johnson has been leading Eurosceptic Conservatives and predicts a brighter tomorrow to the British if they find their “independence”. Freed from EU directives, they would resume control of their laws, their finances and their borders and therefore immigration, has he assured.

The anti-European party Ukip, led by Nigel Farage, has focused his entire campaign on immigration control and ended up shocking his camp with a punch poster showing a column of refugees crossed the comment: “breaking Point”

Wanting to curb the divisions that plague his conservative party on the EU, Mr Cameron announced in January 2013 that it would hold a referendum if elected, as was the case in 2015.

But he opened Pandora’s box and unleashed passions, fueled by the dreaded British tabloids, always quick to vilify the EU on the subject of Brussels technocrats delightful power to the people.

In this poisonous atmosphere, the killing of a pro-EU MP Jo Cox, a week before the election, by a man claiming “freedom for the United Kingdom”, shocked the country, which has not finished questioning the causes of this tragedy.

Thursday’s vote will show whether the marriage of convenience with the EU established in 1973 will be renewed. Already the UK is not part of the Schengen area, nor the euro, and has continued to consolidate its separate status within the Union. He could become the first major country to decide to leave.

06/23/2016 4:25:33 – London (AFP) – AFP © 2016