On 23 June, the UK will settle a question that's been rumbling close to the surface of British politics for a generation: should the country remain within the European Union, or leave the organisation and go it alone.
Both sides insist that the outcome of the vote will settle the matter of Britain's EU membership for the foreseeable future.
This winter, he embarked on a tour of EU capitals as he sought to renegotiate Britain's terms of membership, which concluded at a summit in February. Presenting the result as a victory, he vowed to campaign with his "heart and soul" to keep Britain inside a "reformed" EU, but several members of his own Cabinet are campaigning for a British exit – or Brexit.
So what are the advantages and disadvantages of being a part of Europe? Would Britain be better off staying inside the club or going it alone?
European Union was originally formed with six nations in 1957. Today, it is a gigantic transnational entity of 28 countries, including the U.K., which joined only in 1973. Though part of EU, Britain has traditionally had a 'eurosceptic' stand. It continues to use the Pound as its currency, while most EU nations have moved to Euro. Neither does it participate in the Schengen border-free zone, which allows passport-free travel in EU.
Interestingly, this is the second time U.K. has sought a referendum on this issue. In 1975 Prime Minister Harold Wilson called a referendum after considerable opposition rose from within the country on U.K. staying with the European Economic Community, the precursor of the EU. With 67 per cent of those who voted preferring to 'Remain', U.K. stayed on.
Much of the EU’s money comes from its member states. And the UK is one of the larger contributors.
The money is spent on administration of the EU in each member country, aid activities outside the EU, grants for asylum, education and culture, on preserving and managing natural resources (this includes, agriculture, fishing, mining and so on), helping poorer countries in Europe and in grants to research in science and technology and in helping small businesses.
A British exit from the European Union would rock the Union — already shaken by differences over migration and the future of the eurozone — by ripping away its second-largest economy, one of its top two military powers and by far its richest financial centre.
This could also give rise to more nations contemplating exit from the Union. Greece, last year held a referendum in which its citizens overwhelmingly rejected EU's bailout norms.
Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble had asked “How would the Netherlands react, for example, which is traditionally very strongly linked with Great Britain?”
David Cameron fulfilled a commitment to visit the Armed Forces Day event in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, today where he watched the main parade from the saluting platform. The Prime Minister spent just under an hour in the seaside town, not giving any interviews or making any speeches.
David Cameron's allies are said to be supportive of any leadership bid that home secretary Theresa May chooses to make. They are keen to try and stop Boris Johnson from becoming the next Tory leader. "I would find it all but impossible to have him as my leader," a senior Tory source told The Times. “I don’t know if he can be prevented from making it to No 10 but many of us are willing to try.”
Britain's "Leave" vote, however, does not represent that formal notification. That notification could take place within days — for example, when EU member countries meet for a summit that is scheduled for June 28 to 29. Or British officials might wait a few months to pull the trigger.
Once Britain invokes Article 50, it will have a two-year window in which to negotiate a new treaty to replace the terms of EU membership. Britain and EU
leaders would have to hash out issues like trade tariffs, migration, and the regulation of everything from cars to agriculture.
In the best-case scenario, Britain may be able to negotiate access to the European market that isn’t that different from what it has now. Norway is not a member of the EU, but it has agreed to abide by a number of EU rules in exchange for favorable access to the European Common Market.
And it's unlikely that anyone is celebrating the vote any more thoroughly than Nigel Farage, head of the right-wing U.K. Independence Party (UKIP). Never part of the official Leave campaign and dismissed by his critics as a fringe politician, Farage focused relentlessly on immigration and British sovereignty, two hot-button issues with Leave voters.
Now seen by his supporters as a champion of the working class, Farage called the vote a "victory for real people." He also said he looked forward to other EU countries holding their own referendums.
"The EU's failing, the EU's dying, I hope we've knocked the first brick out of the wall," he said.
EU leaders in Brussels will not be amused by Farage's Berlin Wall analogy, but they will have other worries on their minds: Just like U.K. residents, they awoke this morning to a very different future.
United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, known within the United Kingdom as the EU referendum, was a non-binding referendum that took place on Thursday 23 June 2016 in the UK and Gibraltar to gauge support for the country's continued membership of the European Union. The referendum resulted in an overall vote to leave the EU, as opposed to remaining an EU member, by 51.9% to 48.1%, respectively. The vote was split between the constituent countries of the United Kingdom, with a majority in England and Wales voting to leave, and a majority in Scotland and Northern Ireland voting to remain.
Membership of the EU and its predecessors was a topic of debate in the United Kingdom before the country joined the European Economic Community (EEC, or "Common Market") in 1973, and subsequently. In accordance with a Conservative Party manifesto commitment, the legal basis for a referendum was established by the UK Parliament through the European Union Referendum Act 2015. It was the second time the British electorate had been asked to vote on the issue of the UK's membership: the first referendum was held in 1975, when continued membership was approved by 67% of voters.
Britain Stronger in Europe was the main group campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU, and Vote Leave the main group campaigning for it to leave. Many other campaign groups, political parties, businesses, trade unions, newspapers and prominent individuals were also involved. Those who favoured a British withdrawal from the European Union – commonly referred to as a Brexit (a portmanteau of "British" and "exit") – argued that the EU had a democratic deficit and that being a member undermined national sovereignty, while those who favoured membership argued that in a world with many supranational organisations any loss of sovereignty was compensated by the benefits of EU membership. Those who wanted to leave the EU argued that it would: allow the UK to better control immigration, thus reducing pressure on public services, housing and jobs; save billions of pounds in EU membership fees; allow the UK to make its own trade deals; and free the UK from EU regulations and bureaucracy that they saw as needless and costly. Those who wanted to remain argued that leaving the EU would risk the UK's prosperity; diminish its influence over world affairs; jeopardise national security by reducing access to common European criminal databases; and result in trade barriers between the UK and the EU. In particular, they argued that it would lead to job losses, delays in investment into the UK and risks to business.
Financial markets reacted negatively to the outcome: share prices fell drastically, as did the value of the pound sterling (5–10% during the initial hours after the decision). The referendum was precipitated by internal fighting within the governing Conservative party, and the Prime Minister David Cameron stated he would resign as his side lost the referendum. The Scottish Government announced on 24 June 2016 that officials would plan for a "highly likely" second referendum on independence from the United Kingdom in response to the result, and the Scottish Government announced that it will start "discussions with the EU institutions and other member states to explore all the possible options to protect Scotland’s place in the EU."
To enable the referendum to take place across the United Kingdom and Gibraltar, two pieces of legislation were enacted. The first of these, the European Union Referendum Act 2015, was passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom and received the Royal Assent on 17 December 2015. The second, the European Union (Referendum) Act 2016, was passed by the Gibraltar Parliament to allow the referendum to take place in Gibraltar and received the Royal Assent on 28 January 2016.
The planned referendum was included in the Queen's Speech on 27 May 2015. It was suggested at the time that Cameron was planning to hold the referendum in October 2016, but the European Union Referendum Act 2015, which authorised it, went before the House of Commons the following day, just three weeks after the election. On the bill's second reading on 9 June, members of the House of Commons voted by 544 to 53 in favour of it, endorsing the principle of holding a referendum, with only the Scottish National Party voting against. In contrast to the Labour Party's position prior to the 2015 general election under Miliband, acting Labour leader Harriet Harman committed her party to supporting plans for an EU referendum by 2017.
Guidelines by the Charity Commission for England and Wales that forbid political activity for registered charities have kept them silent on the EU poll. According to Simon Wessely, head of psychological medicine at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London – neither a special revision of the guidelines from 7 March 2016, nor Cameron's encouragement have made health organisations, most of which support the remain campaign, willing to speak out.
Fishing industry
A June 2016 survey of UK fishermen found that 92% intended to vote to leave the EU. The EU's Common Fisheries Policy was mentioned as a central reason for their near-unanimity.More than three-quarters believed that they would be able to land more fish, and 93% stated that leaving the EU would benefit the fishing industry.
In May 2016, more than 300 historians wrote in a joint letter to The Guardian that Britain could play a bigger role in the world as part of the EU. They said: “As historians of Britain and of Europe, we believe that Britain has had in the past, and will have in the future, an irreplaceable role to play in Europe.”
The referendum has been criticized for denying young people younger than 18 years a right to vote in the referendum. Unlike in the referendum about the Scottish independence in 2014 also the age-group of the 16-17 year old citizens were excluded from the vote. It was criticized that those who have to live with the consequences of the referendum for the longest time were excluded from the vote. Supporters of an inclusion of young voters consider the exclusion as a violation of the democratic principle and a severe deficit of the referendum. Opinion polls conducted during the votes for the referendum show that the excluded voters would have voted with an overwhelming majority for remain and that an inclusion of the age-group of 16-17 year old citizens would have lead to a win of the remain campaign.
As chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Chief Counting Officer (CCO) Jenny Watson announced the final result of the referendum was to leave (combining all 12 regional counts from across the UK and Gibraltar) in Manchester Town Hall on 24 June 2016.
United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, 2016
Choice Votes %
Leave the European Union 17,410,742 51.89
Remain a member of the European Union 16,141,241 48.11
Valid votes 33,551,983 99.92
Invalid or blank votes 25,359 0.08
Total votes 33,577,342 100.00
Registered voters and turnout 46,501,241 72.2%
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,
Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,
Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra,
Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
It is a see-through bra that is usually more of glamour than just support and is usually used as a part of lingerie. It is mostly made of nets and lacy material.
Sheer bras and panties are sure to add some class and panache to your lingerie boudoir. Curvy ladies, flaunt your God-given contour lines in our see-through bras of a balconette or demi cup shape. Have a petite and delicate frame. Check out our full-coverage transparent intimates, designed to perfectly fit and hold everything in all the right places. Keep in mind though, that the outline of the nipples
Good for: Lingerie wear
Wear Beneath: Night Gowns
Best Pick: Enamor, Victoria’s Secret
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Satin, Lace, Nets
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
This bra is meant for sports wear and provides good support as the straps form a halter neck.
These bras have clasps on the straps, which attach at the back of the neck and also around the back. They cover about 75% of the breasts and are suitable to wear under many types of clothes including strapless tops, dresses and off the shoulder numbers.
Good for: Gym Wear
Wear Beneath: Backless or Low Back Dresses or Tops
Best Pick: Jockey, Enamor, Calvin Klein
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, polyester
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
Essentially a rigid band, usually underwires, along the inframammary line that pushes up while covering none, or only a narrow strip, of the breast.
Lingerie that's all about the thrills. This ultra-sexy piece features sleek satin with lace across the chest, sexy shelf design with underwire cups, adjustable halter strap with chunky bow details, and H&E back closure. Wear it with out matching Holly Double Garter Belt, Holly Strappy Back Panty and Essential Sheer Stocking.
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
These stick to the breasts and do no have the straps providing little support to the breasts. These are usually disposable ones made of paper and silicone ones can be used time and again.
One should keep in mind that these bras have shorter life than traditional bras and can stop functioning while sweating.
A bra which adheres to the breasts. It has no straps or bands of any sort and provide little support to the breasts. This type of bra is intended for backless and strapless fashions. There are two types. There is the disposable paper ones that use a strong adhesive and the reusable ones that use silicone that can be washed and reused.
Good for: Women with self supported Breasts
Wear Beneath: Backless and Strapless Outfits
Best Pick: Victoria’s Secret, Ebay.com, koovs.com
Available Cup size: Free Sizes
Fabrics Available: Silicon, Elastene
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
These came in the industry in the 1940’s. It is a full support bra that has an axis perpendicular to the breasts like a paraboloid.
A type of full support bra with cups in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution with its axis perpendicular to the breast. Invented in the late 1940s, they were still being sold well into the 1960s.
Good for: Women With larger Bust Sizes
Wear Beneath: Any outfits
Best Pick: Calvin Klein,Enamor
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
Very common in the bikinis, this bra is meant to provide the coverage only rather than support. The cups of the bra are in the shape of triangles.
Say it softly softly with our collection of triangle bras with scalloped lace and silk satins. Borrow from the boudoir with sheer panels and strap detailing.
Love triangle bras! Unlined cups feel comfortably soft, while racer backs and low plunge lines are perfect worn underneath slinky shapes. Look out for graphic prints, pretty lace and style with a matching thong.
Good for: Women With Small Busts
Wear Beneath: Bikinis, Beach Wear
Best Pick: Calvin Klein, Jockey, Victoria’s Secret
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, Polyester
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
This one is meant for better support and endurance as it has an underwire stitched in the fabric below the cups so as to keep the breasts at the place.
Designed to give extra support and endurance. They have a wire, metal or plastic, running under each cup to provide rigid support to the bust.
Good for: Women With larger Bust Sizes
Wear Beneath: Any outfits
Best Pick: Calvin Klein, Jockey, Victoria’s Secret, Zivame.com
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, Polyester
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
A perfect style for everyday wear, the T-shirt bra is a go-to favorite for easy, effortless throw-on-and-go style. Slightly soft and always sleek, the comfortable cups keep everything in check with a smoothing design. Made for natural shape without skimping on support, the T-shirt bra offers a natural, no fuss silhouette, and a subtle, smooth line under anything.
Designed without raised seams, so that a tight t-shirt may be worn without the bra being visible. These often have padded cups to conceal nipples and to provide a smooth line under t-shirts.
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
This bra has cups that are distant from each other and join together low with a thin centre piece. These are worn for low necklines. These also come as U-plunge bras where the centre line forms a U-shape for even deeper necklines.
Allows you to wear clothes that have a deep plunging neckline.
Good for: Women with well-toned busts
Wear Beneath: Low Necklines
Best Pick: Enamor, Calvin Klein, Victoria’s Secret
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, polyester, Georgette, Silk
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
As the name suggests, this bra is meant for young girls whose breasts have just started to swell up. These are meant to give support and yet not be too tight to let them from developing up.
Designed for young girls who have begun to develop breasts but have yet to be considered ‘developed’ enough to allow for a standard-sized bra to fit properly. They are of simple construction and offer very little support.
Good for: Women with developing breasts
Wear Beneath: Any Dress
Best Pick: Calvin Klein, Jockey
Available Cup size: 32 and below
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, Polyester
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
As the name indicates this doesn’t have straps and is usually supported by the underband that closes at the back or front. Since the straps are absent this one can ditch you when its comes to support and comfort.
With no shoulder straps, they are designed for wearing with clothes that reveal the shoulders, such as halterneck tops.
Good for: Subtle Bust sizes
Wear Beneath: Halter Tops, Low Neck dresses
Best Pick: Zivame.com, Enamor, Calvin Klein, Jockey
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, polyester
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
This bra has cups that are slightly padded with soft foam with no underwire and rely on the support of the underband. It is extremely comfortable for daily wear.
Has no underwire support in the cups. Rather they rely on the strength of the underband to provide support to the bust.
Good for: Daily Wear
Wear Beneath: All outfits
Best Pick: Enamor, Calvin Klein, Jockey
Available Cup size: All sizes
Fabrics Available: Cotton, Satin, polyester
All Types of bra
Adhesive Bra, Bandeau Bra, Belly Dance Bra, Bridal Bra, Built-in Bra, Shelf Bra, Convertible Bra,Front Closure Bra, Full Support Bra, Halter Neck Bra, Mastectomy Bra, Maternity Bra,Minimizer Bra, Novelty Bra, Nursing Bra, Padded Bra, Peephole Bra, Plunge Bra, Push-Up Bra, T-shirt-bra.
Racer Back Bra, Sheer Bra, Soft Cup Bra, Strapless Bra, Trainer Bra, Triangle Bra, Underwire Bra,
Vintage Bra,
