ON THURSDAY, 23rd June, the electorate of the United Kingdom (UK) would go to the polls to cast its ballot whether to remain in, or leave, the European Union (EU). This referendum is informed by competing and conflicting views on whether an association in the EU is serving the interest of British citizens.The initial EU was forged out of a desire for peace and working together after World War 11. With the continent being divided and ravished by war, France and Germany came together and devised a plan to avoid future occurrences of this nature. This resulted in a six-nation alliance, in 1950, to pool their coal and steel resources; then, in 1957, a treaty was signed in Paris establishing the European Economic Community (EEC), which laid the foundation for the current EU.

In 1973, the UK, along with Denmark and Ireland, became members. Today, the EU comprises 28 member states with a 500-million population. The EEC is a trade and economic bloc focusing on free movement of goods and services within the Common Market, reducing regional inequalities, preserving the environment, promoting human rights, and investing in education and research.

According to the online BBC, “The EU is Britain’s biggest trading partner. British citizens are free to work in any EU country, and EU funding is spent on supporting farmers, boosting jobs in the UK, redeveloping rundown areas, and (procuring) grants for university research.”

In 2016, the people of UK are divided in opinion about said association. Those against leaving the Union are arguing that the UK is stronger being in the EU, and it can use its clout to influence issues such as immigration, the strength of the Pound, and social services, which have been the major issues used by those arguing for an exit. In the area of social services, where healthcare in the UK is free, citizens and legal residents are complaining that the National Health Scheme (NHS) is being overwhelmed by illegal immigrants, and this is compromising the delivery of service for legal residents. On 25th May, a David Maddox article carried in the UK Express said that a major leak from Brussels has revealed that the NHS will be killed off if Britain remains in the EU. There is also concern that exiting the EU would allow Britain the freedom to manage its own finance and affairs. There is the view in some quarters that the presence of Boris Johnson, historian, journalist, politician and then mayor of London, who joined the exit campaign in February, impacted and validated public opinion in this direction, and affected the currency.
The Express reported that Johnson’s voice in the debate resulted in the currency falling to a seven-year low. The Sunday Express reports that, as of 15th June, the value of the pound stood at $1.42 against the dollar and €1.26 against the euro. It is instructive to note that Johnson’s father, Stanley Johnson — politician, author and expert on environmental and population issues — supports Britain remaining in the EU, campaigns to this effect, and argues that there are more benefits to be derived from influencing the global affairs being in rather than out. UK Prime Minister David Cameron is supportive of remaining in the Union, and in making his pitch why this is to the UK’s best interest to do so, Sunday Express (19th June) reports him saying, “Of course the EU isn’t perfect. I’m frustrated by it, like you. But I believe we will have more opportunities, more security, and we’ll live up to the finest traditions of our country if we remain in Europe rather than quitting. First, I believe we’ll have more opportunities and jobs.”

Polls have been showing mixed opinions on this matter. Once, the public was leaning to exit. At the time of preparing this editorial, the poll was leaning to remain. In the intervening period, Labour Member of Parliament Jo Cox, who was a supporter of remaining in the EU, was shot and stabbed to death, last Thursday after leaving a constituency meeting.

Presently, there is a petition being circulated calling for the referendum to be cancelled. If the petition does not succeed, the UK electorate will go to the polls and have its say, come Thursday.