By Joshua Krause
The date is set. On June 23, the citizens of the UK will vote to decide whether or not their country will remain in the European Union. Over the years there have been growing concerns over the country’s membership with the EU, due to burdensome regulations and membership fees that cost billions and provide little in return. On top of that, the recent migrant crisis has convinced many UK citizens that it is time to take back control of their borders.
At present, most polls show that support for the referendum is in a statistical dead heat, with 47% of voters saying they wish to remain in the EU, and 49% saying they want to leave. However, when respondents are questioned on the likelihood of actually showing up to vote, a different picture emerges. It’s estimated that if the referendum were held today, 52% would vote to leave, and 45% would vote to stay. Among undecided voters, 31% said that their biggest hesitation in voting to stay in the EU, is the risk of uncontrolled immigration.
If current opinions hold, then the UK is well on its way to leaving the EU, making them the first country to do so. It’s expected to cause financial strain on the already fragile EU system, and may temporarily hurt the GDP of the UK. In addition, it may also lead to a new secession referendum in Scotland, where the majority of the population favors staying in the EU.
Joshua Krause is a reporter, writer and researcher at The Daily Sheeple. He was born and raised in the Bay Area and is a freelance writer and author. You can follow Joshua’s reports at Facebook or on his personal Twitter. Joshua’s website is Strange Danger.
