Who Demands Brexit and is It Possible?

• 10.07.2015, 20:04
•  Europe,  World

The start of the campaign for the withdrawal of Britain from the EU will de facto be given on October 11, when the leaders of the two opposing camps will participate in a program on BBC, Kommersant reports with reference to the British media.

The exact date of the referendum has not yet been determined. Cameron promised during the elections, that the referendum will be held before the end of 2017. The supporters of the European course of the United Kingdom insist on holding the referendum earlier, unless the growing euroskeptism in the country does not take over the minds of the majority. In particular, taking into consideration the proposal of the representatives of British business the referendum may be held as early as 2016. According to the newspaper Financial Times, this initiative was made by Simon Walker, head of the Institute of Directors - the leaders of the union of British companies and business representatives, which includes 34,5 thousand people. Walker is confident that in 2016 the chance that Britain will remain in the EU is 50/50.

Experts consider that the results of the referendum depend on whether Brussels will agree on reforms or not. Cameron, who made holding the referendum as one of his key campaign promises, nevertheless, expects to maintain a strong link between London and Brussels. He is trying to convey to his interlocutors the following: it is better to agree to the demands of Britain than lose it in the European Union.

In order to stay in the EU, Cameron demands from Brussels implementation of reforms. In particular, London requires giving the national parliaments the right of veto to any EU initiative. In addition, Britain wants to reserve the right to stay away from further integration in the European space. London also demands to take some measures to solve the migration crisis, for example, the introduction of a maximum term of stay for unemployed migrants on the British soil (six months), followed by deportation, limits for migrants' access to social benefits, etc.

The negotiations will be completed by the end of this year, and within two years a referendum on Brexit will be held. It should be noted that until now there were reason to hope for the preservation of the UK's membership in the EU: all the polls showed that the number of the supporters for preserving the European passports is quite high. However, based on the latest survey of YouGov company, 40% of the British are for the country's withdrawal from the EU and only 38% - against it.