Introduction

The referendum held on June 23rd, 2016 marked a historic day for Britain. For the first time in over 40 years, citizens were given a chance to voice their opinion on whether Britain should leave or remain in the European Union (EU). The outcome of the referendum saw 52% vote to leave and 48% vote to remain, leading to Britain's eventual departure from the EU that occurred on January 31st, 2020. In this article, we will discuss the reasons behind Britain's decision to leave the EU.

The immigration factor

One of the key reasons why Britain voted to leave the EU was because of the issue of immigration. The EU's freedom of movement policy allowed citizens of member states to work and reside in any other member state. This meant that there was an influx of immigrants coming into Britain, which some held responsible for the increase in pressure on public services, housing, and jobs. Many voters believed that leaving the EU would give Britain greater control over its borders and limit the number of immigrants entering the country.

Economic concerns

Another factor that played a major role in Britain's decision to leave the EU was the economy. Many voters believed that the EU was holding Britain back economically and that leaving the bloc would allow the country to achieve greater economic success. Some argued that the EU's regulations on trade and business were too restrictive and prevented Britain from establishing trade deals with countries outside of the EU. Additionally, some believed that the cost of membership fees paid by Britain to the EU outweighed the benefits received from membership.