What is the referendum about? There is going to be a big vote in the UK about the European Union on 23rd June 2016. It is called a referendum and everyone in Britain who is registered to vote can take part. People will decide if they want to accept a new EU constitution, that’s a new set of rules about how the EU is run and whether they want Britain to stay in the EU with the new rules or they do not want the new rules and Britain leaves the EU?

Why are the rules changing? It has grown from 15 to 28 members and it has got too big to make decisions the way they used to. This means the EU must get a new set of rules, or make fewer decisions. There have been lots of arguments in the UK about whether any changes would be good for this country.

Quick Quiz – just for fun!

What does the letters EU stand for? How many countries belong to the EU? When did it first start? Date/month/year. Which city is the largest in the EU? What is the name given to the big vote that is going to happen? R_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ m What date will people vote? What will they have to decide? European Union 28 1st November 1993 London Referendum 23rd June Whether Britain remains in the EU or leaves the EU

What does the EU do? Brings people together Allows EU citizens to move freely between EU nations. Allows trade between different countries.

What can you remember? What is it called? How many members Out of 28 use it? What does it have on the back of each coin? .How many different Languages are spoken in the EU? 24 different languages are spoken in the EU Euro coin 19 out of 28 members use the euro coin as their currency. On one side is the value and image of Europe and on the back an image of the country it is from. 9th May. In 1950 on that day a French minister came up with the idea of the EU. Birthday date ?

There is a lot of uncertainty as no country has ever done it before!

To leave the EU (Brexit) Last year Britain paid in £13 billion but got £4.5 billion back in spending – that still cost Britain £8.5 billion – could the money be spent better in Britain? Britain would be able to follow its own laws and not be bound by EU laws. Britain can not stop anyone from another member state coming to live in our country and this is causing problems with not enough jobs and houses. Security – because EU citizens can move freely, it means that we are more open to terrorist attacks. Britain needs to be able to check and control who comes in and out of the country.

To stay in the EU It does cost a lot of money £8.5 billion last year but that is about 7% of what the government spends on the NHS – so it really isn’t a big amount. EU citizens have the freedom to move between any member state of the EU. British people can work and live in another EU country. People who advertise jobs will be able to choose from a larger number of people from different countries. Britain risks loosing some of the power that EU countries have together.

Your voting slip Place your voting slip into the sealed ballot box.

Remember it’s your vote – you don’t have to agree with your friends, your parents, grandparents, or teachers, but you might want to talk to them to help you decide!