UK Referendum on EU Membership: Key Details Emerge on Eligible Voters and Prime Minister Cameron's Strategies

Strategic Insights -

With the Labour Party conceding a referendum on British membership in the European Union is inevitable, the Conservative government announced on Monday that the list of eligible voters would mirror that of the recent general election. This means most European Union citizens living in Britain will be unable to cast a ballot. The decision comes as no surprise, given Britain's impending decision on EU membership by the end of 2017. The large euroskeptic wing of the Conservative Party and UKIP have been pushing for a referendum, with UKIP urging that the estimated 2.7 million EU citizens living and working in Britain legally be excluded from voting. British citizens ages 18 and older, as well as residents from Ireland or the Commonwealth, will be eligible to vote. This includes citizens of Cyprus and Malta living in Britain, and British nationals living abroad for fewer than 15 years.

Key Takeaways:

  • The list of eligible voters for the UK referendum on EU membership will be similar to that of the recent general election, excluding most European Union citizens living in Britain.
  • The Conservative government's list of eligible voters includes British citizens ages 18 and older, residents from Ireland or the Commonwealth, including citizens of Cyprus and Malta living in Britain, and British nationals living abroad for fewer than 15 years.
  • UKIP has urged that the estimated 2.7 million EU citizens living and working in Britain legally be excluded from voting.
  • Prime Minister David Cameron has promised to negotiate a "better deal" for Britain in the European Union before putting membership to the vote.
  • Cameron will meet with Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, to discuss Britain's desires and present its wish list for the European Union.
  • Other European leaders have said that some changes might be made when new immigrants can qualify for some benefits, but that the principle of free movement within the bloc cannot be altered.

Statistics:

  • 12.6% of the vote in the general election went to UKIP (The Guardian, 2015)
  • 2.7 million EU citizens live and work in Britain legally (government figures)
  • 53-member organization mostly made up of countries that were formerly part of the British Empire (Commonwealth)
  • Britain will decide on EU membership by the end of 2017
  • Prime Minister David Cameron will meet Jean-Claude Juncker for dinner to discuss Britain's desires (The New York Times, 2015)
  • Mr. Cameron's wish list for the European Union includes reducing the number of European Union citizens coming to live and work in Britain and protecting the economy from rules intended for the countries that use the euro (The New York Times, 2015)

Sources:

  • The Guardian (2015) - 12.6% of the vote in the general election went to UKIP
  • The New York Times (2015) - Meeting between Prime Minister David Cameron and Jean-Claude Juncker to discuss Britain's desires
  • Government figures - 2.7 million EU citizens live and work in Britain legally
  • The New York Times (2015) - Mr. Cameron's wish list for the European Union