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Europe Union referendum: final hours of historic Brexit poll – live Europe Union referendum: final hours of historic Brexit poll – live
(35 minutes later)
8.27pm BST
20:27
David Pegg
Remain campaigners in Islington, a Labour stronghold that includes the constituencies of Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry, seem confident that rain and occasional thunder and lightning haven’t damaged their chances of success.
The Guardian’s David Pegg, who is anchored in deepest Islington, reports:
Despite comments from Nigel Farage earlier in the day anticipating that the bad weather could favour the leave campaign by putting off “soft remainers”, local activists canvassing outside schools and stations in an effort to reach parents and commuters said they felt positive.
“Turnout appears to have been fairly high. An awful lot of people are saying ‘I’ve already voted’,” said Freddie Wilkinson, leafleting outside Highbury and Islington station.
“There are quite a few people trickling in,” said Jo Wood, one of a group of Labour party members out campaigning. “People are voting.”
Results for the area are expected to be declared after 1.30am, making it one of the earlier counts for London.
Remain camp outside Highbury and Islington station #euref pic.twitter.com/DdRNCC9uGF
Updated
at 8.37pm BST
8.23pm BST
20:23
That #usepens hashtag continues to trend on Twitter, with some gentle (and not so gentle) mockery of the urgings from some (mainly pro-Brexit) quarters for voters to bring their own pens to ensure their papers are not altered in favour of a remain vote.
Just voted. I took needle and black thread. I sewed in the cross on my ballot paper. My vote is secure! #usepens
#usepens I took my portable laminator with me that'll stop them tampering with my vote, try and rub that out.
Read Esther Addley’s piece from earlier on one of the more curious trends of today’s poll.
8.13pm BST
20:13
The conversations are still going on in south Wales, reports the Guardian’s Steve Morris.
In Cardiff campaigners have set up next to the statue of Aneurin Bevan – Labour party icon and architect of the NHS.
Cardiff - the conversations still going on at the Aneurin Bevan statue. pic.twitter.com/FWc6fiCosP
They believe the turnout in central Cardiff is very big – and think this is good news for Remain - but worry that it may be a different story in the valleys and out in the countryside. They just spoke to someone who was still undecided. “I’ll give it some thought,” she said. She’d better hurry up.
Welsh Labour grandees are still working hard in the valleys, one of their traditional strongholds.
@RhonddaBryant out and about in #Rhondda people coming up saying they #VotedRemain @welshlabour @UKLabourIN pic.twitter.com/9xeP1D7s9Q
Unlike other parts of the UK, their job has been made more pleasant by warm sunshine.
8.05pm BST
20:05
Tom Clark
So, are the polls going to get it right this time? The Guardian’s Tom Clark has been looking at how the EU referendum is the pollsters’ big chance to regain some credibility.
Here’s a snatch
The big flaw unveiled in the thorough post-election inquiry for the industry, by Prof Patrick Sturgis, has not been satisfactorily addressed.
The root problem, he found, was not last-minute jitters in the ballot box or inadequate turnout filters, but rather a brute failure by the pollsters to interview the right people.
A couple of door-to-door surveys run by academics and published long after the event did get election 2015 right. The big difference was that these surveys picked out voters’ names at random, and then kept hammering on their doors until they answered.
The other polls, whether online or phone, give up on the hard-to-reach, move on to other phone numbers and email addresses, and thus fail to achieve a genuine mix. In 2015 it transpired that Tories, for whatever reason, were that bit harder to rouse, creating the big polling miss.
Read on here.
Updated
at 8.18pm BST
7.58pm BST7.58pm BST
19:5819:58
For those having trouble getting home because of the weather, I’m afraid it’s too late to apply for an emergency proxy - the deadline was 5pm today. For those having trouble getting home because of the weather, I’m afraid it’s too late to apply for an emergency proxy – the deadline was 5pm today.
It seems unlikely transport problems would be accepted as a valid reason anyway, as people stranded overseas today because of the French air traffic controllers strike were told that they were not entitled to appoint an emergency proxy. It seems unlikely that transport problems would be accepted as a valid reason anyway, as people stranded overseas today because of the strike by French air traffic controllers were told they were not entitled to appoint an emergency proxy.
The guidance on such proxies for the EU referendum says they apply when someone has a medical emergency arise suddenly or “your occupation, service or employment means that you cannot go to the polling station in person, and you only became aware of that fact after the proxy vote deadline (15 June)“. The guidance on such proxies for the EU referendum says they apply when someone has a medical emergency or “your occupation, service or employment means that you cannot go to the polling station in person, and you only became aware of that fact after the proxy vote deadline (15 June)”.
When my colleague Mark Tran asked the Electoral Commission about the possibility of people stranded at train stations getting emergency proxies, they referred him to this tweet by the commission.When my colleague Mark Tran asked the Electoral Commission about the possibility of people stranded at train stations getting emergency proxies, they referred him to this tweet by the commission.
In London/SE and want to vote in the #EURef? Make sure you plan now to get back to your local polling station by 10pm!In London/SE and want to vote in the #EURef? Make sure you plan now to get back to your local polling station by 10pm!
It’s Ben Quinn here picking up the baton now from Haroon. Red Bulls at the ready?It’s Ben Quinn here picking up the baton now from Haroon. Red Bulls at the ready?
Updated
at 8.14pm BST
7.20pm BST7.20pm BST
19:2019:20
Randeep RameshRandeep Ramesh
Very high turnouts have been reported in backyard of the only pro-Brexit MP in Bristol, Charlotte Leslie. Very high turnouts have been reported in the back yard of the only pro-Brexit MP in Bristol, Charlotte Leslie.
Clerks in polling stations on council estates, littered with leave signs, said that they were “not as high as 75%, but close”.Clerks in polling stations on council estates, littered with leave signs, said that they were “not as high as 75%, but close”.
Turnout high in these parts pic.twitter.com/eUlbn4D8hyTurnout high in these parts pic.twitter.com/eUlbn4D8hy
In posher districts at one polling station the Guardian was told that including postal votes “1000 of the 1400” had been cast - but this was “not as high” as other nearby counts. In posher districts at one polling station, the Guardian was told that, including postal votes, “1,000 of the 1,400” had been cast – but this was “not as high” as other nearby counts.
Bristol, considered a pro-Remain stronghold, is one of the last big counts to declare with a result due at 6am. I Bristol, considered a pro-remain stronghold, is one of the last big counts to declare with a result due at 6am.
f the national result is very close - as some predict - then Britain could be waiting to see what happens in the city to find out whether the country remains or leave the EU. If the national result is very close – as some predict – then Britain could be waiting to see what happens in the city to find out whether the country remains or leave the EU.
Updated
at 8.22pm BST
7.14pm BST7.14pm BST
19:1419:14
Frances PerraudinFrances Perraudin
West Yorkshire police have confirmed that they were called to a stabbing near a polling station in Huddersfield at 5.15pm, but said the incident had nothing to do with today’s referendum.West Yorkshire police have confirmed that they were called to a stabbing near a polling station in Huddersfield at 5.15pm, but said the incident had nothing to do with today’s referendum.
The polling station on Waverley Road was closed for half an hour to “contain the scene”, but has now reopened.The polling station on Waverley Road was closed for half an hour to “contain the scene”, but has now reopened.
Local reports have named the victim as 18-year-old Luke Joseph and say he was stabbed by a gang of five other teenagers. Police believe he was attacked in the nearby Greenhead Park and then walked to the polling station, where he collapsed.Local reports have named the victim as 18-year-old Luke Joseph and say he was stabbed by a gang of five other teenagers. Police believe he was attacked in the nearby Greenhead Park and then walked to the polling station, where he collapsed.
The victim’s injuries have been described as serious but not fatal.The victim’s injuries have been described as serious but not fatal.
7.10pm BST7.10pm BST
19:1019:10
Voters stranded by rail problemsVoters stranded by rail problems
The problems at London transport hubs could potentially affect the ability of thousands of people to vote.The problems at London transport hubs could potentially affect the ability of thousands of people to vote.
Waterloo, where there appears to be no service at all, serves 90 million passengers a year, which is about 250,000 a day on average (although the average obviously includes weekends and holidays).Waterloo, where there appears to be no service at all, serves 90 million passengers a year, which is about 250,000 a day on average (although the average obviously includes weekends and holidays).
Cannon Street, Charing Cross, London Bridge, Victoria, and probably other stations have also been affected. They are all major commuter stations with many people likely to have left for work this morning before polls opened.Cannon Street, Charing Cross, London Bridge, Victoria, and probably other stations have also been affected. They are all major commuter stations with many people likely to have left for work this morning before polls opened.
The Rail Delivery Group says among the train operators affected are Abellio Greater Anglia, Gatwick Express, Southern, South West Trains and Thameslink.The Rail Delivery Group says among the train operators affected are Abellio Greater Anglia, Gatwick Express, Southern, South West Trains and Thameslink.
Among those stranded is the broadcaster and journalist Sian Williams:Among those stranded is the broadcaster and journalist Sian Williams:
At London Cannon St. No trains. Haven't voted. Ballot on kitchen table in Kent #EUref #flooding pic.twitter.com/aalup8IZjHAt London Cannon St. No trains. Haven't voted. Ballot on kitchen table in Kent #EUref #flooding pic.twitter.com/aalup8IZjH
Chaos and overcrowding at London stations. People at Charing Cross panicking about getting home to vote (including me!).Chaos and overcrowding at London stations. People at Charing Cross panicking about getting home to vote (including me!).
London Bridge Station shut!!! Aragh! Just hope I can board a train in time to vote! #EUreferendum #VoteRemainLondon Bridge Station shut!!! Aragh! Just hope I can board a train in time to vote! #EUreferendum #VoteRemain
Well I've made it through the scrum onto a train at Victoria. Let's hope it moves now. I'm only on this train to get to vote!!Well I've made it through the scrum onto a train at Victoria. Let's hope it moves now. I'm only on this train to get to vote!!
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.48pm BSTat 7.48pm BST
6.34pm BST6.34pm BST
18:3418:34
A reader has got in touch to say that turnout may not be high everywhere:A reader has got in touch to say that turnout may not be high everywhere:
@Haroon_Siddique for balance re turnout: dad is poll clerk in Dudley, says pretty slow so far, maybe 40% only@Haroon_Siddique for balance re turnout: dad is poll clerk in Dudley, says pretty slow so far, maybe 40% only
6.32pm BST6.32pm BST
18:3218:32
Turnout of 70% to 80% expected in ScotlandTurnout of 70% to 80% expected in Scotland
Severin CarrellSeverin Carrell
Scotland’s chief returning officer, Mary Pitcaithly, has predicted overall turnout in Scotland will reach about 70-80% after a day of “steady” voting at polling stations.Scotland’s chief returning officer, Mary Pitcaithly, has predicted overall turnout in Scotland will reach about 70-80% after a day of “steady” voting at polling stations.
Pitcaithly told BBC Radio Scotland she did not expect turnout to reach the 85% seen in the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, which she oversaw, but agreed it would still be high.Pitcaithly told BBC Radio Scotland she did not expect turnout to reach the 85% seen in the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, which she oversaw, but agreed it would still be high.
Only 56% of Scotland’s 4 million-strong electorate turned out for May’s Holyrood elections, but 71% did so in last year’s UK general election.Only 56% of Scotland’s 4 million-strong electorate turned out for May’s Holyrood elections, but 71% did so in last year’s UK general election.
The chief executive for Falkirk council, she is due to announce Scotland’s regional result after collating the count data from 32 local councils at around breakfast time.The chief executive for Falkirk council, she is due to announce Scotland’s regional result after collating the count data from 32 local councils at around breakfast time.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.45pm BSTat 7.45pm BST
6.30pm BST
18:30
Voters stuck at Waterloo station
The storms have brought Waterloo station to a standstill, potentially affecting thousands of passengers who may not have voted.
The station is a major hub for people commuting from outside London many of whom would likely have left in the morning too early to vote.
Many people have taken to social media to express concern that they will miss the 10pm deadline.
Or maybe stuck at Waterloo, watching the crowds, destined to rue my missed vote for evermore pic.twitter.com/QuSeg918iq
Still stuck on a @SW_Trains train in Waterloo. Can I apply for an emergency proxy vote? #wexit
I did want to vote #referendum #waterloo pic.twitter.com/1P4Qm6frdv
Can't vote if we are all stuck at Waterloo station, this may cause an issue! #EUref #EUreferendum
Updated
at 7.45pm BST
6.14pm BST
18:14
More on the pens saga from PA, which reports that police were called to a polling station where a woman was handing out pens to fellow voters after a volunteer reported a “disturbance”.
A Sussex Police spokesman said:
Police were called to Durnford Close, Chichester, at around 12.25pm on Thursday 23 June by a volunteer reporting a disturbance outside a polling station.
A PCSO [police community support officer] who was in the area went to the scene and spoke with a woman who was handing out pens.
No offences were committed and it was not being treated as a police matter, the spokesman added.
Concerns have been expressed on social media that votes not written in ink could be rubbed out and altered.
Updated
at 7.42pm BST
5.56pm BST
17:56
There are some interesting tweets about turnout coming through:
Experienced clerk in a Dorset polling station predicts turnout there by 10pm (incl postal votes already received) between 78% - 82%. #EUref
Some places in Leicestershire seeing record turnout too and record postal votes, I'm told
5.52pm BST
17:52
Randeep Ramesh
Schools in Bristol, painted as a great remain heartland, ran mock referenda today. Of course it’s not the real thing and only a bit of a laugh but there was an interesting split. In the affluent northern suburb at Redland Green school, of the 475 staff and pupils who voted, 440 backed staying in the EU. That’s 93% of the vote.
Meanwhile in the less well-off southern fringe of Hartcliffe, students were more evenly split. Pupils at Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe backed remain.
In the @Bristol_BLC EU referendum students voted to remain by 51% with a turnout of 61% Thanks for taking part!
Updated
at 7.40pm BST
5.48pm BST
17:48
Henry McDonald
Some interesting constituency by constituency figures are coming out of Northern Ireland that show voting is slow in republican areas while unionist districts are recording higher votes.
In North Down - the most affluent constituency in Northern Ireland - polling stations were reporting that 22% of the electorate had voted by lunchtime today. North Down usually records one of the lowest electoral turnouts in Westminster and Stormont Assembly elections.
In sharp contrast, by midday one polling station in the republican heartland of West Belfast was reporting a 7% turnout.
Meanwhile in republican/nationalist-dominated Derry, turnout was about 11.5% by lunchtime in the Foyle constituency.
Overall the Electoral Office in Northern Ireland expects the region-wide turnout to be close to 70%, which would be 15 percentage points higher than last month’s election to the devolved assembly.
South Belfast, regarded as the most liberal constituency in Northern Ireland, was reporting voting turnout of up to 21% in some polling stations by the middle of the day.
Updated
at 7.38pm BST
5.41pm BST
17:41
Ione Wells
After the BBC reported earlier this week that poll station staff were receiving “training in what a selfie is”, with the hope of preventing photography while people vote, it appears smartphones are posing a threat to the privacy of poll booths.
Taking a photo inside a polling station is not of itself against the law but section 66 of the Representation of the People Act says:
No person shall communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the referendum answer for which a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted.
Many social media users have taken photographs, including Henry Smith, Conservative MP for Crawley. Smith tweeted a photograph of his completed ballot paper. The tweet received a mixed reception from other users, with several suggesting he had committed electoral misconduct.
Updated
at 7.35pm BST
5.22pm BST
17:22
Here is a round-up of the key developments so far today:
Updated
at 5.48pm BST
5.12pm BST
17:12
Pound and FTSE close up
Katie Allen
Investors have put their money on a vote to remain in Britain’s EU referendum, with the pound hitting a new high for 2016 and the FTSE 100 share index rallying strongly.
As the market exuberance of recent trading sessions continued throughout polling day itself, there were, however, fresh warnings that investors were setting themselves up for heavy losses in the event of a Brexit when the outcome of the referendum becomes clear on Friday.
The pound broke through $1.49 against the dollar for the first time since December before shedding some of those gains in afternoon trading to stand at $1.4799 (still up 0.6% on the day). The FTSE 100 index of leading shares added a solid 1.2%, or 77 points, to close at 6338 - the highest for eight weeks.
Chris Saint, senior analyst at financial firm Hargreaves Lansdown Currency, said:
Clearly the key issue now for currency markets is whether rising expectations that the status quo will prevail are well-placed.
Most of the results from the local counting areas are expected by the early hours of tomorrow morning with the official outcome anticipated by around breakfast time. Dramatic exchange rate swings are to be expected regardless of the result, with a sharp drop in the pound’s value possible in the event of a Brexit.
Shares and the pound were higher from the open and got an extra fillip in morning trading after the publication of an Ipsos Mori poll conducted for the Evening Standard newspaper showed a four-point lead for remain.
“Even though we all know that polls can be rubbish, the markets seem quite happy that the remain camp has done enough to win,” said Kathleen Brooks, research director at spread-betting firm City Index.
Updated
at 5.42pm BST
4.35pm BST
16:35
Vote Leave accused of belittling Londoners and Scots
It may be polling day but there is no respite from the bitterness between the two opposing campaigns.
Stronger in Europe has hit out at a plea by Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliot, sent by email to Brexit supporters, urging them to vote, because:
There is a very real chance that voters in London and Scotland will vote to keep us in the EU today despite the heartlands of the country voting to leave.
The email includes a photo of a queue outside a polling station in a “leafy London suburb”.
Chuka Umunna, Labour MP for Streatham, said:
Vote Leave are ending this campaign as they began it – by seeking to divide our country not unite it, turning regions, nations and communities against one another.
Londoners and Scots have as much right to exercise their democratic choice as anyone else. Implying that our votes are somehow less legitimate than those cast in other parts of Britain is utterly disgraceful.
The @vote_leave campaign team not just desperate but weird. Since when did London/Scotland stop being UK heartlands? pic.twitter.com/rJz41e5Jzw
Updated
at 4.58pm BST
4.29pm BST
16:29
Ione Wells
Pollsters have suggested that the elderly are more likely to vote and more likely to vote “leave”. So the vote by Keith Adams’s mum today may come as little surprise but it was the way she exercised her democratic right that got it trending on Twitter.
Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, "Which box for out?" A cheer went up from waiting voters
Twitter users all across the country appropriated Adams’ post to tell people what their 93-year-old mums are contributing to the poll station, from the serious to the utterly bizarre:
Just took my 93 year old mum to vote. She's registered blind. She shouted "Expecto Patronum" to banish the Dementors. Everyone cheered.
Took 93yr old mum and her friend to vote. #EUref pic.twitter.com/p0R1Ku2Y6P
Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. She's unaware I took her to Ladbrokes where she voted for Iceland to win the Euros
“Keith” and “93 yr mum” have both trended on Twitter today.
Adams has since written a blog post in response to trolling he received as a result of his post, condemning his critics for their “entire premise...that being brexit invalidates anything else”.