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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| EU referendum polling day: remain and leave neck-and-neck as country votes - live | EU referendum polling day: remain and leave neck-and-neck as country votes - live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.44am BST | |
| 10:44 | |
| Who knows what happened in the privacy of the voting booth? Here’s video of Labour leader and reluctant remain campaigner before and after casting his vote in Islington. | |
| “The bookies usually get it right,” Corbyn is heard to mutter, before adding “they got it wrong on me big time last year, didn’t they?” | |
| 10.38am BST | |
| 10:38 | |
| Justice secretary and leading Leave campaigner, Michael Gove, has voted in Kensignton. He was accompanied by his wife Sarah Vine, the Daily Mail columnist who is the godmother to David Cameron’s youngest daughter. Note the Vote Leave brolley. | |
| 10.31am BST | |
| 10:31 | |
| Saeed Kamali Dehghan | |
| Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, said he hoped Britons would choose to stay in, but said Europe would deal with the issue in a “rational way” if the verdict was to leave, writes Saeed Kamali Dehghan in Oslo. | |
| “I was chairing the committee that awarded the Nobel peace prize to the European Union so the answer is evident [on where I stand] but I really hope that the UK would stay. I also believe that if we get the opposite result, Europe has to deal with it in a rational way, so Europe will survive,” he told the Guardian. “It is up to the people of United Kingdom to decide, it’s a democratic referendum, we have to respect that but I hope results would be clear,” he added. | |
| He said the UK won’t be isolated if it decided to leave. “British islands will continue to exist and British people will continue to exist as part of Europe, so whatever happens we cannot start isolating each other in Europe once again, it would be ridiculous.” | |
| The referendum dominated Norwegian front pages on Thursday. “Today Britain can split Europe,” read the headline of Aftenposten newspaper. The cartoon on the newspaper’s front page showed Boris Johnson trying to pull a sword out of a European stone that would make him king. “Fears that emotions will take Britain out of the EU,” read the front page headline of Dagens Næringsliv, one of the biggest newspapers in Norway. | |
| Hva skjer om britene løsriver seg fra EU? Skjebnevalget er i dag. pic.twitter.com/jxiXpQL43Q | |
| 10.21am BST | |
| 10:21 | |
| Steven Morris | |
| Labour activists are reporting brisk early business at polling stations in the south Welsh valleys, where the party has been working hard to get the vote out in one of its traditional heartlands. | |
| But the result in Wales is going to be fascinating following Ukip’s excellent showing at the assembly elections last month when the party took seven seats. | |
| More than 2.2m Welsh voters are eligible to take part in the referendum and will be casting their votes at 3,578 polling stations. | |
| Results will be declared locally in each of Wales 22 council areas – from Monmouthshire in the far south-east to the Isle of Anglesey in the north west. The overall figures will be collated and announced in Flintshire in the north-east. | |
| The Welsh rugby great Gareth Thomas has announced that he has voted for the first time in his life – and reveals that he was heavily influenced by actor Martin Sheen and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell. “Can always blame them,” he said in a Tweet. | |
| I've done it!First time in my life I've voted.Heavily influenced by 2 people I trust.@campbellclaret & @michaelsheen .Can always blame them🤗 | |
| 10.16am BST | |
| 10:16 | |
| Gibraltar’s pro-remain chief minister Fabian Picardo has cast his vote. Polls suggest that 85% of the island want to remain in the EU. | |
| Last week Picardo told the Guardian: “There is quite unprecedented unity here. Myself and all my predecessors, every political party, all the trade unions and employers’ organisations, every club, society and association … For Gibraltar, this is a slam dunk decision. Now that the leave camp has made it clear that they are not looking for Britain to remain a part of the European single market, the choice for Gibraltar has become very stark.” | |
| 10.06am BST | 10.06am BST |
| 10:06 | 10:06 |
| In his ten things to watch Philip Cowley warned us to be careful of reports of high turn out (see earlier). | In his ten things to watch Philip Cowley warned us to be careful of reports of high turn out (see earlier). |
| But we can’t resist having some anecdotal reports from respected sources (what else can we write about on polling day?). | But we can’t resist having some anecdotal reports from respected sources (what else can we write about on polling day?). |
| Queues like I've never seen out the polling station in hackney pic.twitter.com/oDUBM7wBVj | Queues like I've never seen out the polling station in hackney pic.twitter.com/oDUBM7wBVj |
| I've never see such queues at my polling station as today! Swell them folks! Swell them! | I've never see such queues at my polling station as today! Swell them folks! Swell them! |
| Quite brisk turnout at my local Polling Station (Southampton) - queue at 7am. Seems slightly above gen election turnout. | Quite brisk turnout at my local Polling Station (Southampton) - queue at 7am. Seems slightly above gen election turnout. |
| Cowley is keeping a beady and wary eye on such reports. | Cowley is keeping a beady and wary eye on such reports. |
| Two for the price of one. https://t.co/EeauoGR15A | Two for the price of one. https://t.co/EeauoGR15A |
| Only two UK referendums have had higher turnouts than recent general elections, the Institute for Government Points out. These were the one on the Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland in 1998 (81.1%) and on Scottish independence in 2014 (84.6%). | Only two UK referendums have had higher turnouts than recent general elections, the Institute for Government Points out. These were the one on the Good Friday agreement in Northern Ireland in 1998 (81.1%) and on Scottish independence in 2014 (84.6%). |
| 9.49am BST | 9.49am BST |
| 09:49 | 09:49 |
| Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon voted early. | Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon voted early. |
| Updated | |
| at 10.30am BST | |
| 9.43am BST | 9.43am BST |
| 09:43 | 09:43 |
| Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind the Gruffalo, has created an image for the Guardian to demonstrate his support for Britain remaining in the EU. | Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind the Gruffalo, has created an image for the Guardian to demonstrate his support for Britain remaining in the EU. |
| Related: 'There's no such thing as a Brusselo!' | Related: 'There's no such thing as a Brusselo!' |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.43am BST | at 9.43am BST |
| 9.37am BST | 9.37am BST |
| 09:37 | 09:37 |
| Severin Carrell | Severin Carrell |
| Edinburgh council has reported that nearly a fifth of the city’s 345,000 voters have already submitted postal votes in the EU referendum, with more than 82% of the city’s postal voters returning their ballot paper by Wednesday evening. | Edinburgh council has reported that nearly a fifth of the city’s 345,000 voters have already submitted postal votes in the EU referendum, with more than 82% of the city’s postal voters returning their ballot paper by Wednesday evening. |
| The city has a high number of registered postal voters at 22%. The number returned so far does not include late submissions – postal votes can be handed into polling places on polling day. That 82% interim turnout is close to the 86% UK average for postal vote returns in the 2015 general election. | The city has a high number of registered postal voters at 22%. The number returned so far does not include late submissions – postal votes can be handed into polling places on polling day. That 82% interim turnout is close to the 86% UK average for postal vote returns in the 2015 general election. |
| 9.36am BST | 9.36am BST |
| 09:36 | 09:36 |
| Libby Brooks | Libby Brooks |
| Remains campaigners are out in force in the West End and Partick areas of Glasgow, with the leave camp conspicuous by their absence around polling stations. | Remains campaigners are out in force in the West End and Partick areas of Glasgow, with the leave camp conspicuous by their absence around polling stations. |
| But I’m told that’s because Leave are concentrating on their get out the vote operation. Plus, the student/middle class/SNP make-up of the area probably doesn’t speak to their core support. | But I’m told that’s because Leave are concentrating on their get out the vote operation. Plus, the student/middle class/SNP make-up of the area probably doesn’t speak to their core support. |
| Polling station officials report a steady flow of voters, no doubt encouraged by the bright sunshine, though not yet teaching the high watermark of 2014’s Scottish independence referendum. | Polling station officials report a steady flow of voters, no doubt encouraged by the bright sunshine, though not yet teaching the high watermark of 2014’s Scottish independence referendum. |
| Remainers out in force in Glasgow's Hillhead as polling station officials report steady flow of early voters #EUref pic.twitter.com/bkJFhtRT5H | Remainers out in force in Glasgow's Hillhead as polling station officials report steady flow of early voters #EUref pic.twitter.com/bkJFhtRT5H |
| 9.32am BST | 9.32am BST |
| 09:32 | 09:32 |
| Landmark buildings across Europe, including in Madrid and Warsaw, have been lit up with a Union Jack to show support for the Remain campaign, according to video from the Business Insider. | Landmark buildings across Europe, including in Madrid and Warsaw, have been lit up with a Union Jack to show support for the Remain campaign, according to video from the Business Insider. |
| 9.27am BST | 9.27am BST |
| 09:27 | 09:27 |
| Here’s video of David and Samantha on their way to vote in central London. | Here’s video of David and Samantha on their way to vote in central London. |
| 9.25am BST | 9.25am BST |
| 09:25 | 09:25 |
| Leading leave campaigner Boris Johnson has told the Telegraph that today’s vote is more important to him than his future in British politics. | Leading leave campaigner Boris Johnson has told the Telegraph that today’s vote is more important to him than his future in British politics. |
| “Frankly, if this is the end of my political career… I’ve done eight years as mayor of London, I enjoyed it hugely, it was a massive privilege. Fine by me.” | “Frankly, if this is the end of my political career… I’ve done eight years as mayor of London, I enjoyed it hugely, it was a massive privilege. Fine by me.” |
| But he remains fairly chipper about the outcome. | But he remains fairly chipper about the outcome. |
| “Our campaign has been about optimism and self-reliance. This is an absolute turning point in the story of our country because I think if we go on with being enmeshed in the EU it will continue to erode our democracy. That is something that worries me.” | “Our campaign has been about optimism and self-reliance. This is an absolute turning point in the story of our country because I think if we go on with being enmeshed in the EU it will continue to erode our democracy. That is something that worries me.” |
| Boris spent part of the final day of campaigning kissing fish at Billingsgate. | Boris spent part of the final day of campaigning kissing fish at Billingsgate. |
| Steve Bell features Boris kissing fish in outer space in his latest If... cartoon. | Steve Bell features Boris kissing fish in outer space in his latest If... cartoon. |
| Related: Steve Bell’s If ... Boris Johnson takes leave of the solar system | Related: Steve Bell’s If ... Boris Johnson takes leave of the solar system |
| 9.13am BST | 9.13am BST |
| 09:13 | 09:13 |
| Leaders cast their votes | Leaders cast their votes |
| Both David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have cast their votes. | Both David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have cast their votes. |
| 9.02am BST | 9.02am BST |
| 09:02 | 09:02 |
| Philip Cowley, who teaches politics at Queen Mary University of London, has 10 things be wary of today. | Philip Cowley, who teaches politics at Queen Mary University of London, has 10 things be wary of today. |
| 2. Pencils! Pencils! Pencils! “I was asked to use a pencil. I refused, and used a pen”. | 2. Pencils! Pencils! Pencils! “I was asked to use a pencil. I refused, and used a pen”. |
| 4. Reports of problems at polling stations. This one is guaranteed. | 4. Reports of problems at polling stations. This one is guaranteed. |
| 6. Everyone suddenly becoming an expert on share price movements. | 6. Everyone suddenly becoming an expert on share price movements. |
| 8. “Is there going to be an exit poll?” | 8. “Is there going to be an exit poll?” |
| 10. “No, that’s not an exit poll”. | 10. “No, that’s not an exit poll”. |
| 8.48am BST | 8.48am BST |
| 08:48 | 08:48 |
| Reuters has followed up that front page promise by the German tabloid Bild to recognise England’s disputed goal in the 1966 world cup final. | Reuters has followed up that front page promise by the German tabloid Bild to recognise England’s disputed goal in the 1966 world cup final. |
| If Britain stays, @BILD will acknowledge the Wembley goal #EUref #Tomorrowspaperstoday @suttonnick pic.twitter.com/DPxHo0IbK9 | If Britain stays, @BILD will acknowledge the Wembley goal #EUref #Tomorrowspaperstoday @suttonnick pic.twitter.com/DPxHo0IbK9 |
| Germany’s Bild newspaper promised on Thursday that Germans would not hog hotel sunloungers and would ditch their goalkeeper for the next penalty shootout, playing on friendly stereotypes in a last-ditch plea to Britons to stay in the European Union. | Germany’s Bild newspaper promised on Thursday that Germans would not hog hotel sunloungers and would ditch their goalkeeper for the next penalty shootout, playing on friendly stereotypes in a last-ditch plea to Britons to stay in the European Union. |
| “Dear Brits, if you remain in the EU ... then we ourselves will recognise the Wembley goal,” Bild declared above a picture of Geoff Hurst’s controversial extra-time goal in the 1966 World Cup Final, when the English soccer team beat West Germany. | “Dear Brits, if you remain in the EU ... then we ourselves will recognise the Wembley goal,” Bild declared above a picture of Geoff Hurst’s controversial extra-time goal in the 1966 World Cup Final, when the English soccer team beat West Germany. |
| Touching on decades of rivalry on the soccer pitch, the paper said Germany would go without its goalkeeper in the next penalty shootout between England and Germany. | Touching on decades of rivalry on the soccer pitch, the paper said Germany would go without its goalkeeper in the next penalty shootout between England and Germany. |
| Germany is considered by English soccer fans to be their main sporting rival. Germany defeated England in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 1996 Euros. | Germany is considered by English soccer fans to be their main sporting rival. Germany defeated England in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals of the 1990 World Cup and the semi-finals of the 1996 Euros. |
| Leaning on decades of jokes between the countries, the mass-selling tabloid promised to put towels on sun loungers to reserve the best spots for Britons by the hotel pool, and to not use suntan lotion out of solidarity with sunburnt Brits. | Leaning on decades of jokes between the countries, the mass-selling tabloid promised to put towels on sun loungers to reserve the best spots for Britons by the hotel pool, and to not use suntan lotion out of solidarity with sunburnt Brits. |
| If Britain were to stay in the EU, Bild also pledged to supply the baddie for every James Bond film, put its clocks back one hour so they were on the same time zone as Britain and introduce an EU guideline that bans froth on beer. | If Britain were to stay in the EU, Bild also pledged to supply the baddie for every James Bond film, put its clocks back one hour so they were on the same time zone as Britain and introduce an EU guideline that bans froth on beer. |
| Earlier this month, Germany’s Der Spiegel published a bilingual edition of its weekly magazine in English and German containing a strong appeal for Britons to vote to remain | Earlier this month, Germany’s Der Spiegel published a bilingual edition of its weekly magazine in English and German containing a strong appeal for Britons to vote to remain |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.48am BST | at 8.48am BST |
| 8.42am BST | 8.42am BST |
| 08:42 | 08:42 |
| One voter said she had to be carried into a flooded polling station. | One voter said she had to be carried into a flooded polling station. |
| I just had to be carried into a flooded polling station. It's something biblical... #remain pic.twitter.com/T8qeGC3zEd | I just had to be carried into a flooded polling station. It's something biblical... #remain pic.twitter.com/T8qeGC3zEd |
| 8.37am BST | 8.37am BST |
| 08:37 | 08:37 |
| Vikram Dodd | Vikram Dodd |
| Police said they were not expecting trouble as tens of millions of Britons are expected to vote in Thursday’s referendum. | Police said they were not expecting trouble as tens of millions of Britons are expected to vote in Thursday’s referendum. |
| Despite a bitter and heated campaign, police said they expected a peaceful day. Police commanders have been issued with extensive guidance on how to minimise the chances of electoral fraud with police chiefs keen not avoid getting caught up in the rancour surrounding Brexit. | Despite a bitter and heated campaign, police said they expected a peaceful day. Police commanders have been issued with extensive guidance on how to minimise the chances of electoral fraud with police chiefs keen not avoid getting caught up in the rancour surrounding Brexit. |
| A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “While there is currently no intelligence to suggest issues will arise around Thursday’s poll, police forces are monitoring the situation locally and putting appropriate plans in place to ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process.” | A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “While there is currently no intelligence to suggest issues will arise around Thursday’s poll, police forces are monitoring the situation locally and putting appropriate plans in place to ensure a fair and peaceful electoral process.” |
| 8.31am BST | 8.31am BST |
| 08:31 | 08:31 |
| No voting problems reported so far in Barnet. The London borough has a lot to prove after hundreds of people, including the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, were turned away at last month’s elections after a voting register blunder. | No voting problems reported so far in Barnet. The London borough has a lot to prove after hundreds of people, including the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, were turned away at last month’s elections after a voting register blunder. |
| Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm today. Check the full list of polling stations in Barnet here: https://t.co/vb0HCJs5zw #EUref | Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm today. Check the full list of polling stations in Barnet here: https://t.co/vb0HCJs5zw #EUref |