‘Vote Remain’ poster from the Brexit referendum campaign

For the first time in its history, the EU – a project shaped for and by growth – is shrinking rather than expanding. The UK joined the European Communities in 1973 and by way of a referendum in 1975, 67.2 % voted in favour of its continued membership. The Brexit referendum was held on 23 June 2016. As the day of the referendum grew closer, opinion polls indicated that the Remain and Leave camps were pretty evenly divided. 72.2 % of registered voters participated in the referendum – 51.89 % of whom ultimately voted to leave the EU. The ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ campaign argued that leaving the EU would damage the UK’s economy and that the UK could play a bigger role in the world as part of the EU. Those in the Leave camp no longer believed in the promise of prosperity and security within the EU. Feelings of a loss of national sovereignty were compounded by the handling of the refugee crisis in Europe and a belief that the continent was ruled by an uncontrolled elite. Following the result of the referendum, the UK triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, setting in motion its departure from the EU on 31 January 2020 after 47 years of membership. The House of European History has collected a variety of objects from the Remain and Leave campaigns, including leaflets, posters and shirts – all of which represent diverse aspects of this historic event.

Inscription Vote remain on June 23rd