Breaking Down The 'Brexit'

Should Britain stay in the European Union or take an exit? The Brexit? We’ll hear the debate from across the pond. Plus, what we're learning about London’s new mayor Sadiq Khan.

Just six weeks until Britain decides whether to stay in the European Union or to go its own way, to take the Brexit. Passions are high. Prime Minister David Cameron warning this week that to leave the EU will be to leave Britain vulnerable, on its own. President Obama has asked Britons to keep the US linked to Europe by staying in. But opponents say the EU is dragging Britain down. They want out, now. This hour On Point: To 'Brexit' or 'Bremain. We’ll look at the huge choice facing Britain.
-Tom Ashbrook

Jenny Gross, covers British politics and the U.K. for the Wall Street Journal. (@jgginlondon)

Rory Broomfield, director of the Better Off Out campaign, which is run by the Freedom Association to get the UK out of the EU. Director of the Freedom Association. (@rorybroomfield)

Thomas Sampson, assistant professor of economics at the London School of Economics. Researcher for the Centre for Economic Performance focusing on international trade, growth, and development.

‘Brexit’ Would Dangerously Weaken Europe, Say Former U.S. Foreign, Defense Chiefs — "A group of former U.S. foreign and defense chiefs and NATO heads weighed in on the U.K.’s European Union debate on Tuesday, warning that a British exit would hurt European security and Britain’s global standing, while Secretary of State John Kerry said membership of the bloc magnified the country’s role. With six weeks to go until the referendum, campaigning by both sides has intensified as opinion polls suggest the vote remains too close to call." (Wall Street Journal)

EU referendum: top economic thinktank warns of post-Brexit shocks — "The loss to average UK households could be as much as £2,000 over the longer term in the institute’s worst-case scenario, which involves a loss of preferential trade links with the EU and a fall in productivity linked to declines in business investment. “The longer term impact of leaving the EU could reduce GDP by anything between 1.5% and 3.7% by 2030 depending on the subsequent relationship between the UK and the EU, as well as the rest of the world." (The Guardian)

Brexit 'unlikely to mean deep migration cuts but may lead to 2p tax increase' — "If the UK chooses to remain outside the EU free movement area it will , Portes says, be “extremely difficult” to deliver a reduction of net migration to the “tens of thousands” without significant economic consequences and a large impact on industries that rely on low-skilled migrant labour." (The Guardian)

Mark Leftly, freelance writer based in London. (@MLeftly)

London Mayor Sadiq Khan on Religious Extremism, Brexit and Donald Trump — "One of the things that’s important to me as a Londoner is making sure my family, people I care about, are safe. But clearly, being someone who is a Muslim brings with it experiences that I can use in relation to dealing with extremists and those who want to blow us up. And so it’s really important that I use my experiences to defeat radicalization and extremism." (TIME)

Labour’s Sadiq Khan Sworn In as London Mayor — "I’m determined to lead the most the transparent, engaged and accessible administration London has ever seen, and to represent every single community and every single part of our city as mayor for Londoners,” he said. His win ends the Conservative’s eight-year hold on the U.K. capital and follows a tense battle with Zac Goldsmith to replace Boris Johnson, who didn’t seek a third term." (Wall Street Journal)