UK
Brexit vote: The day of decision
The rain flows, and the British flock to the polling stations. You decide the fate of your country in the EU. Christoph Ricking has visited a polling station in the centre of London.
This Morning the London weather shows its bad side. Shortly before the polls are about to open, it is raining twine. The whole night, there had been a Thunderstorm and now the grey clouds above the British capital are low. Even some U-Bahn lines fell out. Equipped with umbrellas and rain jackets the first London rush to and from work.
In spite of the rain and the early hour, Robin McGhee and Elizabeth Biggs are on the U-Bahn-Station Pimlico in the centre of London and advertise for the whereabouts of Britain in the EU. “I’m in” is in big letters on their blue T-Shirts. “We want to remind the people in the first place to go,” says McGhee: “We want to remind you that it is better to stay in the EU, so that our economy remains in good shape.”
The election campaign up to the end
The British law allows it to do on the day of the election, nor the election campaign. Until the closure of the polling stations in the evening at 22 o’clock both camps can try to pull voters to their side.
Robin McGhee and Elizabeth Biggs fight on the day of the election to remain in the UK in the EU
Here in the centre of London most of the people were to remain in the EU, says McGhee. What concerns the country-wide result, he is less optimistic: “It is so scarce. It is so important that the EU-supporters to go out and choose. I’m afraid that many of them do not vote.” The higher the turnout, the more hopes can make the Pro-EU.
Vote on the way to work
A few hundred meters further, the “Westminster Cathedral Roman Catholic Primary School is situated”. A sign with an arrow and the words “Polling Station” indicates that you can cast his vote. On the dot of 7.00 PM, the volunteers have opened the door. Interviews are not allowed to enter.
Many of the voters that come through here on the way to work, in order to make your cross. David Sivior: “It is very important to choose not only for us but also for the next Generation.” He even agrees to remain in the EU: “If we go out, you could lose a lot of jobs.” The election campaign had polarized the country, he says.
But no matter how the Referendum out:”I think we will get over that real fast. We have often had similar situations. I’m sure, we now have to make the right decision, and then life goes on.”
“Short term pain, long term gain”
Although it is still early and the day has just begun, the influx is relatively large. At a distance of a few minutes of voters entering the polling place, often several at the same time. An older gentleman, who introduces himself as Richard, his surname, however, does not want to call it, has voted for an exit. “It’s about democracy,” he says: “The EU is undemocratic. It is in this country every five years is usual, the politicians get rid of the we don’t like. In Brussels, there is no way to do that.”
On the question of whether or not he is worried about the consequences of Brexits, he says: “I think it is because with Mick Jagger: Short term pain, long term gain (short-term pain, long term gain).” Nevertheless, he expects a victory of the Pro-EU: “I think it will be a 55 to 45 percent for the EU.”
The British and their image of Europe in front of the election office of the opinions
Kimberly Moore brings her two children to school and still want to deliver quickly your voice. They agreed to “Remain”. “It just makes the most sense,” she says: “Whether the free market or freedom of movement in Europe: It is simply the right to vote for the EU.”
The atmosphere in the country had been in the last few weeks, very emotional. “It is time to take care of the important problems. And if we want to work together in a group, we need to be part of this group,” she says, for you, this is a clear Argument for the EU.
Mimi Raffles sees it differently. She has voted in favour of a Brexit: “One of my main reasons for this is immigration,” says the petite blonde woman. “Our country is too small for that.” Apparently, the EU is the scapegoat for the failings of the British policy: “Our politicians, whether Labour or Conservative, lie to us.” Prime Minister David Cameron have promised a lot and nothing delivered, says Mimi Raflles.
“Better together than against each other”
Richard Robinson has made, like many others, shortly before the work of his cross. He, too, is for the EU. “What, there are always problems of the European economy, or immigration, it is just important that the great Nations of Europe work together instead of working against each other,” he explains his choice: “This is happening already to a certain degree in the EU, but for the progress of Europe, it is better that we stay together.”
Until the evening of the 46.5 million eligible voters can cast their vote. The latest polls suggest a very tight result.