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Final EU Referendum Polls Suggest UK Will Vote To Reject Brexit And 'Remain'

Final EU Referendum Polls Suggest UK Will Vote To 'Remain'
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David and Samantha Cameron arrive to cast their vote in the EU referendum today at the Methodist Hall, Westminster
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The final polls of the EU referendum campaign have suggested the UK will vote to reject Brexit and remain a member of the European Union.

An Ipsos MORI survey conducted on Wednesday and published Thursday morning found 53% backed Remain and 48% backed Leave.

And a Populus poll released at midday put Remain on 55% and on Leave 45%.

Pollster Peter Kellner today predicted an 8.5% lead for remain, or a majority of around 2.5 million of votes. Writing on his blog, he added a victory for Brexit was still "perfectly possible".

Unlike at general elections, there will be no exit poll. However polling firms are conducting surveys today and the results of those are expected to be released after 10pm.

Queues have been reported at polling stations despite torrential rain hitting parts of the country.

Both sides of the referendum campaign have been locked in fierce fighting for months, and things came to a frenetic close on Wednesday as senior politicians travelled across the country to try and sway undecided voters.

The Remain campaign, led by David Cameron, has repeatedly stressed that the UK is “stronger, safer and better off” inside the EU.

The prime minister and his Remain colleagues from across the political spectrum have also warned of the potentially severe economic consequences of a Brexit vote amid fears of financial market turmoil and another recession.

But Leave campaigners, led by Boris Johnson, have urged voters to “take back control” of the country.

They believe a divorce from Brussels would give the UK more money to spend on national issues like funding the NHS as well as giving the government the ability to control the nation’s borders and levels of immigration.

Kellner said today he believed it was "likely, though not certain" there would be an "on-the-day shift today to the status quo" resulting in a Remain vote.

"Answering a pollster can be done cost-free. Casting a vote is a decision with consequences," he said.

"We know that some voters are torn between heart and head: the emotional pull of Brexit versus the worries of what might happen to jobs and prices. Do some people respond to pollsters with their heart, and then vote with their heads?

"My judgement is that, if there is an on-the-day effect, it will help Remain rather than leave."

 
Andrew Yates / Reuters
A man walks into a polling station to vote in the EU referendum, in Etherow country park in Stockport, Britain June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Dylan Martinez / Reuters
A policeman stands outside a polling station in Biggin Hill, Britain June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Neil Hall / Reuters
A man wearing a European themed cycling jersey arrives to vote at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha leave after voting in the EU referendum, at a polling station in central London, Britain June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Neil Hall / Reuters
A woman photographs her daughter after she voted at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha leave after voting in the EU referendum, at a polling station in central London, Britain June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Andrew Yates / Reuters
People arrive to vote at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in Heald Green, Stockport, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Neil Hall / Reuters
Electoral workers carry signs as they prepare a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Neil Hall / Reuters
A polling station is prepared for the Referendum on the European Union in north London, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Neil Hall
Stefan Wermuth / Reuters
A man carries an umbrella as he leaves a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in north London, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth
Toby Melville / Reuters
Women walk past a pub being used as a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in west London, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Toby Melville
Andrew Yates / Reuters
A man puts up a sign at a polling station for the Referendum on the European Union in Heald Green, Stockport, Britain, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with Labour Party activists as he leaves his home to cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn stops for a photograph with members of the public as he leaves his home to cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with Labour Party activists as he leaves his home to cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn walks with Labour Party activists as he leaves his home to cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home to cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leaves his home to cast his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: A man holding an umbrella passes by a polling station sign during the British EU Referendum in London, United Kingdom on June 23, 2016. Voting has begun in the United Kingdoms historic referendum on its membership of the European Union. Polling stations will remain open for 15 hours until 10 p.m. local time. (Photo by Ray Tang/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Matt Cardy via Getty Images
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn casts his vote at a polling station at Pakeman Primary School in Islington on June 23, 2016 in London, England. The United Kingdom is going to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images)
ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images
A sign for a polling station is attached to a fence in Little Milton on June 23, 2016.Millions of Britons began voting today in a bitterly-fought, knife-edge referendum that could tear up the island nation's EU membership and spark the greatest emergency of the bloc's 60-year history. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Rebecca Naden / Reuters
A Polling Station sign for the Referendum on the European Union is erected in the village of St Florence, Near Tenby, Pembrokeshire in Wales, June 23, 2016. REUTERS/Rebecca Naden
GLYN KIRK via Getty Images
Signs are put up outside the polling station at West Blatchington Windmill near Brighton, in southern England on June 23, 2016, as Britain holds a referendum on wether to stay or leave the European Union (EU).Millions of Britons began voting Thursday in a bitterly-fought, knife-edge referendum that could tear up the island nation's EU membership and spark the greatest emergency of the bloc's 60-year history. / AFP / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
A general view of a polling station at the White Horse Inn in Priors Dean, Hampshire, also known as the 'Pub with no name' , as voters head to the polls across the UK in a historic referendum on whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave.
GLYN KIRK via Getty Images
Presiding officer Ahmed Z Jamee prepares to open the polling station at West Blatchington Windmill near Brighton, in southern England on June 23, 2016, as Britain holds a referendum on wether to stay or leave the European Union (EU).Millions of Britons began voting Thursday in a bitterly-fought, knife-edge referendum that could tear up the island nation's EU membership and spark the greatest emergency of the bloc's 60-year history. / AFP / GLYN KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
ADRIAN DENNIS via Getty Images
TOPSHOT - A presiding officer (L) and poll clerk (C) drink a cup of tea while waiting for early morning voters at a polling station set up in a launderette in Headington outside Oxford on June 23, 2016.Millions of Britons began voting today in a bitterly-fought, knife-edge referendum that could tear up the island nation's EU membership and spark the greatest emergency of the bloc's 60-year history. / AFP / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Ian Forsyth via Getty Images
SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: A dog is tied to railings outside a polling station waiting for its owner to cast their vote on the EU Referendum on June 23, 2016 in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Officials wait for voters inside a polling station being used in the EU referendum in a guest house annex in Dogmersfield, Hampshire.
Ian Forsyth via Getty Images
SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 23: A dog is tied to railings outside a polling station waiting for its owner to cast their vote on the EU Referendum on June 23, 2016 in Saltburn-by-the-Sea, United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has gone to the polls to decide whether or not the country wishes to remain within the European Union. After a hard fought campaign from both REMAIN and LEAVE the vote is too close to call. A result on the referendum is expected on Friday morning. (Photo by Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)
Nick Ansell/PA Wire
Voters arrive the polling station set up at the Little Braxted Bakery in Little Braxted, Essex as voters are set to go to the polls to decide whether the UK should remain in the European Union.
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