The Brexit referendum

Abstract

This chapter outlines the reasons behind David Cameron's decision to call a referendum on the UK's membership of the European Union in June 2016. It seeks to put both Cameron's decision and the referendum itself into the wider context of the UK's relations with the EU and the divisions within the Conservative Party. The chapter discusses reasons for the UK's initial reluctance to join the founding European Communities and moves towards gradual acceptance of membership, albeit without direct reference to the voters. It then traces the renegotiation undertaken by the Labour Party in the 1970s which provided a pattern for Cameron's actions. It then explores the growing frustration with Europe within the Conservative Party, which led to Cameron's fateful Bloomberg Speech. The chapter then turns to preparations for the referendum and the two main campaign groups, Vote Leave and Britain Stronger in Europe, arguing that the former had a clearer message and more effective campaign.