Britain’s Newspapers Are Divided on the Brexit Referendum

The newspapers are choosing sides, hoping to influence the debate.

British voters go to the polls on 23 June. (Photo: iStockPhoto)

With just days to go before Britain’s 23 June referendum on European Union membership, the country’s newspapers have publicly taken sides, hoping to influence the debate as polls paint a picture of an evenly split electorate.

Among the Pro-Remain (those who want Britain to be a part of the EU) newspapers are:

The Times

Britain’s The Times newspaper has come out in support of remaining in the EU, with its 18 June issue bearing a lead article titled Why Remain is best for Britain.

On balance we believe Britain would be better off leading a renewed drive for reform within the EU rather than starting afresh outside it.

That put the Rupert Murdoch-owned The Times at odds with two other newspapers in the media tycoon’s stable. The Sun and The Sunday Times have both thrown their weight behind Brexit.

The Mail on Sunday

Britain’s right-leaning The Mail on Sunday newspaper has endorsed the campaign to remain in the EU, saying Britain would be safer, freer and more prosperous in the bloc.

For modern Great Britain to thrive and prosper we must work with, not against, our European partners; we must keep our seat at Europe’s top table and help shape its destiny; our strong, clear voice must be heard inside Europe, not be shouted from the sidelines

The Observer

The Observer newspaper, part of the left-leaning Guardian Media Group, told its readers to vote to stay in the EU. The paper said the EU was not perfect, but that overall it had been a force for good.

Remaining in the EU will not magically eliminate the challenges Britain faces in the years to come. But if we choose to do so, it will keep Britain at the heart of reforming the European project so that the nations of Europe are together better equipped to face them.

This is what the Pro-Leave (those who want Britain to exit the EU) newspapers had to say:

The Sun

The Sun, the nation’s biggest-selling paper, urged its readers to vote leave on its front page on June 14.

We must set ourselves free from dictatorial Brussels.

Many of its readers already back a Brexit according to polls.

The Sunday Times

The newspaper urged its readers to vote to leave the EU as a way to press for deeper reform of the bloc, which might make it more acceptable for Britain to actually remain in.

Yes, we must be prepared for a bumpy ride, but we should hold our nerve. This vote may be the only opportunity we shall ever have to call a halt to the onward march of the centralising European project.

The Sunday Telegraph

The conservative newspaper urged its readers to vote to leave, arguing that the EU belongs to the past and by leaving it Britain would be able to decide who should come to work in the country.

Once we have left and are no longer subject to the free movement of labour, popular worries about immigration will become a matter for the British government and for parliament.