UK Euroscepticism and the Brexit referendum

TY - JOUR

T1 - UK Euroscepticism and the Brexit referendum

AU - Vasilopoulou, Sofia

N1 - © 2016, The Author. This is an author-produced version of the published paper. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details

PY - 2016/6/2

Y1 - 2016/6/2

N2 - This article shows that key to understanding the referendum outcome are factors such as a profoundly Eurosceptic public, high levels of citizen uncertainty, divided mainstream political parties on the EU, and lack of unity within the Leave campaign. The Brexit referendum is more than just about domestic issues and government approval. Utilitarian concerns related to economic evaluations of EU integration coupled with support of or opposition to EU freedom of movement are very likely to influence vote choice. Those campaigns that focus on rational utilitarian arguments about the costs and benefits related to EU membership as a whole but also to EU freedom of movement are expected to swing voters.

AB - This article shows that key to understanding the referendum outcome are factors such as a profoundly Eurosceptic public, high levels of citizen uncertainty, divided mainstream political parties on the EU, and lack of unity within the Leave campaign. The Brexit referendum is more than just about domestic issues and government approval. Utilitarian concerns related to economic evaluations of EU integration coupled with support of or opposition to EU freedom of movement are very likely to influence vote choice. Those campaigns that focus on rational utilitarian arguments about the costs and benefits related to EU membership as a whole but also to EU freedom of movement are expected to swing voters.

U2 - 10.1111/1467-923X.12258

DO - 10.1111/1467-923X.12258

M3 - Article

SN - 0032-3179

VL - 87

SP - 219

EP - 227

JO - Political Quarterly

JF - Political Quarterly

IS - 2

ER -