Today in History, June 23: Brexit

byericpierre

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7 years ago

2016, on June 23, a referendum took place in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on continued UK membership in the European Union.

The country joined what was then the three European Communities (the European Coal and Steel Community, ECSC, the European Atomic Energy Community, EAEC or Euratom, and the European Economic Community, EEC or "Common Market") in 1973. A referendum on continued membership of the European Communities was held in 1975. It was approved by 67% of voters. Political integration gained greater focus when the Maastricht Treaty established the European Union (EU) in 1993, which incorporated the three European Communities.

British Prime Minister David Cameron promised in January 2013 that, should his Conservative Party win a parliamentary majority at the 2015 general election, the British government with him as British Prime Minister would negotiate more favorable arrangements for continuing British membership of the EU, before holding a referendum on whether the UK should remain in or leave the EU. The outcome of the renegotiations was announced in February 2016. Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the Government was to recommend that the UK should remain in the EU and that the referendum would be held on June 23, marking the official launch of the campaign.

The campaign focused on the economic consequences of staying or leaving and as well as immigration. "Leave" campaigners argued that a UK outside the EU will be able to freely negotiate lucrative free trade deals, while the "Remain" camp warned of an economic downturn and isolation.

In April 2016, opinion polls indicated that the two sides were roughly tied, but the results were disputed. Polls were found to give different results depending on whether they were carried out by phone or on line. The government indicated that in the event of an exit vote, a two-year departure process under the Lisbon Treaty would begin soon after the result. On the eve of polling day, most polling experts wrongly predicted a remain vote, and the stock market surged in anticipation.

Although the government collectively supported remaining, collective responsibility was suspended, allowing five cabinet ministers and some junior ministers to campaign openly for leaving. The House of Commons was roughly 3 to 1 in favor of remaining and the Confederation of British Industry, representing mainly big business, about 4 to 1. Small businesses were roughly evenly split, as were national newspapers. Most major trade unions were in favor of remaining, as was the Church of Scotland; the Church of England did not take a collective position. Most economists supported remaining.

Polling stations closed at 10pm in the UK and an hour earlier in Gibraltar. This because the territory is one time zone ahead. Early rumors that “Remain” were heading for victory led to the leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage, to make a concession speech that was later retracted. As results came in from 382 local authorities, “Leave” gradually took the lead, and by 5am on June 24, it had become clear that voters had narrowly opted for the exit from the EU. The final results were 51.9% for “Leave” and 48.1% for “Remain”. Turnout was about 72%. The highest in a nationwide poll since the general election of 1992. All regions of England, except London, voted for “Leave”, which was also the overall result in Wales. Scotland, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar voted “Remain”. Poll results analysis suggests that younger and/or better educated voters were more likely to vote to remain. In Northern Ireland, Irish Nationalists tended to vote tendencially to remain, Unionists to leave.

As a result the pound fell to its lowest level since 1985. Financial markets around the world also fell, with some even suspended.

David Cameron announced that he would resign as Prime Minister within a few months. But left more quickly after Theresa May emerged as his successor. In the Labour party a motion of no confidence in their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, was passed by 172 to 40, but he refused to resign. A challenge was made for a new election to take place, in which he was reelected with a slightly increased majority. Nigel Farage resigned as leader of UKIP, having achieved his objective.

The Scottish National Party has announced it may well seek a new independence referendum.

The Irish Republic has since then experienced an increase in passport applications from British citizens qualifying.