Brexit campaign is told to focus on immigration

Brexit campaign is told to focus on immigration
By Catherine Hardy with EFE, REUTERS, AFP
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Immigration is an ongoing issue and one that is featuring prominently ahead of the country's referendum on EU membership.

  • Just under two months to go
  • “Focus on immigration” – Farage
  • “Stay in and prosper” – Merkel
  • Support for “Leave” campaign slightly ahead
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There are just under two months to go until the UK referendum on membership of the EU.

Campaigning is in full swing.

Immigration is an ongoing issue and one that is featuring prominently ahead of the country’s referendum on EU membership.

What is Nigel Farage saying?

The leader of the UK Independence Party says it is “impossible” for Britain to control immigration while it is a member of the EU.

Nigel Farage, a member of the European Parliament (MEP), has urged the “Leave” campaign to unite around the issue.

Nigel Farage-we cannot control immigration unless we quit the EU https://t.co/f5pOXGwNde

— David Jones (@DavidJo52951945) April 29, 2016

“Since the Treaty of Maastricht, we have been citizens of the European Union. We have to, in this campaign, make people understand that EU membership and uncontrolled immigration are synonymous with each other.”

Farage also mentioned security concerns linked to Europe’s migration influx as an argument in favour of what is being called a “Brexit” or “British Exit.”

What is Angela Merkel saying?

Speaking at a press conference in Berlin with the Latvian Prime Minister, the German Chancellor says she wants Britain to stay in the EU.

Merkel said remaining in the EU will ensure that Britain remains a prosperous and economically successful country.

Merkel says EU membership gives Britain economic strength: https://t.co/oeHTfbmTxV#Brexit#EURefpic.twitter.com/DcuT2gPwZQ

— Reuters World (@ReutersWorld) April 29, 2016

“Everyone is talking about it from their own perspective”, she said. “From my perspective: I want a strong, economically-thriving Great Britain in the European Union. The actual decision lies with the citizens of Great Britain.”

Merkel added that the pending TTIP US-EU free trade deal will also bring economic benefits.

What does the City say?

The main campaign group seeking to get Britain out of the EU says more than 100 executives from Britain’s financial services industry have signed a public letter backing the “Brexit” campaign.

What do the polls say?

Polls suggest support for the campaign to remain in the European Union has risen by one percentage point in the last two weeks.

It now stands at 41 percent.

That is compared to an increase in support for the “Leave” campaign, which is edging slightly ahead.

This has reportedly risen by three points to 42 percent.

Get the latest poll details here

When is the referendum?

There are just under two months to go.

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The UK will vote on whether to leave or remain in the EU on June 23.

What they are saying

“One must realistically say which advantages membership of the European Union has and what advantages the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership has, and what is being negotiated now is also clear.” – German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“Assuming good political leadership and an effective regulatory environment, we believe that the City is most likely to strengthen its lead as the world’s largest international financial centre, and continue to make a major contribution to the UK economy and employment, outside the EU but with continued access to its capital markets” – UK financial services industry public letter.

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