Whether in or out, Britain is divided

EU vote may be close but problems will not evaporate, writes Matthew Goodwin

The World Today
4 minute READ

Britain is about to decide whether or not to continue its membership of the European Union. For the first time in more than 40 years the British people will have a direct say over their relationship with their European neighbours. Long known for their higher levels of scepticism towards the EU, and their much lower levels of knowledge about how the organization works, the British people’s decision at the remain-or-leave plebiscite looks set to have a major affect on the future evolution of the EU, which is already grappling with multiple crises, as well as domestic British politics.

Contrary to early expectations of a comfortable win for the Remain camp, for much of the referendum campaign the race has been close – too close for some.

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