EU Referendum Briefing Note: Informing the Debate

 

The upcoming referendum on the United Kingdom’s continued membership of the European Union is, arguably, the single most important decision that UK citizens have been asked to make in a generation. This view is maintained by Prime Minster David Cameron, for whom, the referendum presents “a huge decision for country, perhaps the biggest we will make in our lifetimes.”

Regardless of one’s position, as either as pro-Brexit, pro-remain or undecided, the choice made on the ballot paper on 23 June 2016 will have profound and lasting geo-political, socio-economic and cultural implications. Accordingly, the debate leading up to the referendum must be of a standard proportionate to the significance of the decision. To this end, the accessibility of relevant, reliable and accurate information is imperative to
facilitating a well-informed decision from the electorate.

Therefore, the purpose of this paper is not to seek to establish a narrative, nor is it to provide a comprehensive analysis of the referendum or its aftermath, but rather to offer readers with some of the pertinent information required to independently cultivate an informed position. In doing so, this paper will serve as a signpost for locating primary evidence under four broad themes, particularly as they pertain to Northern Ireland. These
include: the constitutional issues, citizen mobility issues, EU funding, and the wider economic and trade issues.

 

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