Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

European Union referendum: UK goes to the polls [UK Independence Day]
BBC ^

Posted on 06/23/2016 2:32:04 AM PDT by UKrepublican

Voting is under way in a historic referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave. A record 46,499,537 people are entitled to take part, according to provisional figures from the Electoral Commission. Polling stations opened at 07:00 BST and will close at 22:00 BST. It is only the third nationwide referendum in UK history and comes after a four-month battle for votes between the Leave and Remain campaigns. In common with other broadcasters, the BBC is limited in what it can report while polls are open but you can follow the results as they come in across the BBC after polls close on Thursday evening.

(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: brexit; brexitwins; brixit; eu; europeanunion; livebrexit; nato; referendum; uk; unitedkingdom
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 261-275 next last
To: naturalman1975

We have never been saturated to this extent.

And while not lessening the importance of the republican question in Australia, the role of the monarchy and its impact is nothing whatsoever like the EU, though it might surprise you to realize I think Australia should follow through with that.

But aside from that - you are probably right about the EU collapsing - the question is to what sacrifice - it will catastrophic by that point.


41 posted on 06/23/2016 3:07:37 AM PDT by UKrepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

Best of luck! We are many - not only in Sweden - but all over Europe who hope and pray that Britain once again leads the way towards freedom.


42 posted on 06/23/2016 3:08:06 AM PDT by ScaniaBoy (Part of the Right Wing Research & Attack Machine)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

No, you are right. The vast majority of US citizens are totally self absorbed, ill-educated and clueless. We are in real danger of losing our republic as a result.


43 posted on 06/23/2016 3:08:50 AM PDT by Islander7 (There is no septic system so vile, so filthy, the left won't drink from to further their agenda)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

Prayers for a majority vote to exit.


44 posted on 06/23/2016 3:13:03 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Resist We Much)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican
There are certainly differences between the issues in Australia and the UK. Theoretically a Republic might not be a bad idea in Australia - unfortunately it's really a stalking horse for the left to try and create a more left wing state. But the main point as far as I am concerned is we were being told constantly and a lot of people believed that it was a decision that would stand for at least a century - that it couldn't happen again. Well, I'm seeing the same arguments in the UK now and I think they are nonsense - people do not have to accept this vote for all time. It does work both ways to some extent - if the vote does go 'Leave', I can see those who disagree with that trying to get Britain back into the EU - but that would require the cooperation of Europe as well.

Please understand I think it would be much easier if the Leave vote wins today. It will be a disaster if it doesn't as far as I am concerned and I am pessimistic, unfortunately. But I think there's a real risk that some people will feel such a high degree of defeat that they will give up - and I think that goes too far.

45 posted on 06/23/2016 3:14:11 AM PDT by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

I am seeing that there is rain today . Bad weather hold the voting down.


46 posted on 06/23/2016 3:15:35 AM PDT by BigEdLB (Take it Easy, Chuck. I'm Not Taking it Back -- Donald Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

I am seeing that there is rain today . Bad weather hold the voting down?


47 posted on 06/23/2016 3:16:39 AM PDT by BigEdLB (Take it Easy, Chuck. I'm Not Taking it Back -- Donald Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]

To: ScaniaBoy

I truly hope so.


48 posted on 06/23/2016 3:17:22 AM PDT by UKrepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: fieldmarshaldj

Thank you.


49 posted on 06/23/2016 3:17:34 AM PDT by UKrepublican
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican
If leaves wins, we will 100% be leaving the EU.

I've seen it suggested that even if "leave" wins your Parliament will simply refuse to act on the results.The state legislature of my state,Massachusetts,has done this at least once...when voters voted to lower taxes.They simply ignored the results.

Don't know if your Parliament might try that or if would be legal to do so.

50 posted on 06/23/2016 3:19:01 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Obamanomics:Trickle Up Poverty)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

I sure hope the Brits decide to leave!


51 posted on 06/23/2016 3:19:01 AM PDT by fortheDeclaration (Pr 14:34 Righteousness exalteth a nation:but sin is a reproach to any people)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

Thank you UK. Very much.
A big victory, indeed, if the “leave” wins. I am praying for that! I’ll be on pins and needles all day and will monitor this thread.

God bless.


52 posted on 06/23/2016 3:20:03 AM PDT by polly-put-the-kettle-on
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

Many of us in the USA get.it, and what the UK is going through. A federal bureaucracy meddling in the local affairs. It’s an undercurrent here as well. Trump wants the states to have more power over their affairs, Hillary wants the iron fist of the central government controlling more of people’s lives.


53 posted on 06/23/2016 3:22:19 AM PDT by BigEdLB (Take it Easy, Chuck. I'm Not Taking it Back -- Donald Trump)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

I too hope the UK regains sanity. May God awaken the hearts of the British people. Amen.


54 posted on 06/23/2016 3:23:41 AM PDT by SoFloFreeper ((Just say no to HRC))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Gay State Conservative
Don't know if your Parliament might try that or if would be legal to do so.

It would be legal but would be such a violation of Constitutional convention that the Queen would be obliged to step in and dissolve the government and install a new Prime Minister and caretaker government specifically to enact legislation.

No British government is going to push things that far. No British government will force the Monarch to use those reserve powers. It just will not come close to that.

55 posted on 06/23/2016 3:24:33 AM PDT by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

I’ll be checking in today when I can. God bless and good luck for a free Britain.


56 posted on 06/23/2016 3:25:22 AM PDT by sneakers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican

Good Luck!


57 posted on 06/23/2016 3:26:15 AM PDT by KSCITYBOY
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: UKrepublican
-- If leaves wins, we will 100% be leaving the EU. --

I have my doubts on that, especially if the vote is close

Could MPs block an EU exit if Britain votes for it?

Michael, from East Sussex asks an intriguing question - could the necessary legislation pass the Commons if all SNP and Lib Dems, nearly all Labour and many Conservative MPs were in favour of staying?

The answer is that technically MPs could block an EU exit - but it would be seen as political suicide to go against the will of the people as expressed in a referendum. The referendum result is not legally binding - Parliament still has to pass the laws that will get Britain out of the 28 nation bloc, starting with the repeal of the 1972 European Communities Act.

The withdrawal agreement would also have to be ratified by Parliament - the House of Lords and/or the Commons could vote against ratification, according to a House of Commons library report.


58 posted on 06/23/2016 3:26:51 AM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Cboldt

It also matters what “leave” entails?

If Britain simply joins the European Economic Area instead like Norway for instance...

What has really been gained?


59 posted on 06/23/2016 3:31:17 AM PDT by Eurotwit (u)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: Cboldt
What that ignores is the Reserve Powers of the Monarch - which are real even if they are very rarely used primarily because a government and Parliament always backs down well before there is any chance they might come into play.

Let's say this happened theoretically - that the Referendum said leave, and the government did not pass legislation.

At that point, the Queen would be justified in removing the Prime Minister from office and if necessary dismissing the entire government and appointing a new Prime Minister and government specifically on the condition they enact this legislation and then go to the polls for a general election. At that point, the legislation would almost certainly be passed.

If it still didn't pass, the Queen would dissolve Parliament for a new election - and the people would have the power to elect a new House of Commons. It is very hard to envisage a situation in which the people would not elect a House of Commons that would pass the legislation - there would be such a level of outrage at Parliament's ignoring a referendum result that the new Parliament would go the other way.

Theoretically it's possible - realistically it isn't. It would bring into play powers the Monarch hasn't had to use in over 170 years - but they still exist to be used in an emergency.

60 posted on 06/23/2016 3:34:59 AM PDT by naturalman1975 ("America was under attack. Australia was immediately there to help." - John Winston Howard)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 261-275 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson