Will Britain Leave the EU? The Role of Immigration in Brexit
MPI analysts explore how the migration politics and policies of the UK government influenced the decision to hold the "Brexit" referendum, how public attitudes towards immigration might influence the result, and how the outcome might impact migration policy in the United Kingdom and European Union more broadly.
On June 23, 2016, in what polling suggests will be a very close decision, UK citizens will decide whether the United Kingdom will remain part of the European Union (EU) or exit. The decision on the “Brexit” referendum will have enormous ramifications, in terms of trade, policy, and for the free movement of people and labor.
While there have been referenda on key issues in EU countries before, this is the first time that a major Member State has put full membership to the test. Yet for many European governments, Brexit is a second-tier issue, behind the refugee crisis, the rise of the populist far right, the aftermath of the 2008-09 recession, and security on the Eastern border. Nonetheless, if the United Kingdom decides to exit, it is highly likely that the broader European project will suffer, boosting Euroskepticism and spurring debates over EU membership in other countries.
This MPI discussion explores how the migration politics and policies of the UK government influenced the decision to hold the referendum, how it might influence the result, and how the referendum’s outcome could impact migration policy in the United Kingdom and the European Union more broadly.
Speakers:
Demetrios G. Papademetriou, President of MPI Europe, President Emeritus of MPI
Will Somerville, UK Senior Fellow, MPI
Moderators:
Natalia Banulescu-Bogdan, Assistant Director, International Program, MPI
About the Transatlantic Council on Migration
Through rigorous research, high-level convenings, and tailored policy advice, the Council provides policymakers with essential analysis and cutting-edge policy recommendations to help tackle the most vexing policy questions.
About the Global Program
The Global Program bridges policy advice, research, and candid dialogue to design effective migration policies, drawing on global evidence and anticipating the forces reshaping how people move.
