The UK referendum on European Union (EU) membership will be held on Thursday, June 23rd, 2016 and voters will decide whether Britain should stay in the EU or exit the bloc of nations - commonly referred to as the British exit or “Brexit”. The EU is an economic and political union of 28 member states headquartered in Brussels, Belgium with its own currency which is used by 19 of its member states. At this time, British voters appear to be split between the “remain in the EU” and “leave the EU” campaigns. However, opinion polls show nearly one in five voters remain undecided.
Proponents of remaining in the EU argue membership offers greater economic and national security. Meanwhile, those in favor of leaving argue that it would liberate the UK from the hold of EU red tape and political interference and allow businesses to trade more competitively with the rest of the world. The British also want to take back control of the country’s borders. One of the key principles of EU membership is free movement which means you don’t need a visa to enter another country for work and to reside.
As it currently stands, UK Prime Minister David Cameron secured a deal in February with his fellow EU leaders in Brussels that redefines the UK’s terms of membership within the bloc in areas such as competition and regulation, welfare benefits for migrants, sovereignty and economic governance. Among the main reforms that Prime Minister Cameron has secured in an effort to gather the support of the campaign to remain in the EU are:
