'Vote Leave' t-shirt

Artist / Maker

Unknown

Date

Use: 2016

Object Name

T-shirts

Inventory Number

Physical Description

Red short-sleeved T-shirt with a symbol of a white ballot box and the slogan ‘Vote Leave’.

Content Description

On 23 June 2016, the British people decided by referendum that the United Kingdom should leave the European Union. The process that led to the UK’s separation from the EU was dubbed Brexit (a portmanteau of ‘Britain’ and ‘exit’). It was a highly significant moment in the history of the European Union.

Keywords

European Union--Great Britain Referendum

Exhibition Theme

5. Europe now -> 5.1. Headlines of our time -> 5.1.7. Brexit (not on display)

Material / Technique

Print on textile

Dimensions

H x W 70,00 x 77,00 cm

Place

Content place: United Kingdom Content place: London

Curator’s Note

For the first time in its history, the EU, a project shaped for and by growth, is shrinking rather than expanding. The Brexit referendum took place on 23 June 2016. As the day of the referendum approached, opinion polling indicated that the Remain and Leave camps were pretty evenly divided, but 52% of voters ultimately decided to leave the EU. Supporters of the Brexit campaign 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, the United Kingdom triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, setting in motion its exit 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, banners and shirts. All represent diverse aspects of this historic moment.

Inscription

Inscription Vote Leave

Credit line

Acquired 2016. EU, EP, House of European History, Brussels.

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