UK: Support for Brexit reaches record high

By Michael Sercan Daventry

LONDON (AA) – Support for Brexit appears to be steadily growing after the campaign to take Britain out of the European Union recorded its largest ever lead in the polls.

With less than 10 days until U.K. voters make their choice in a nationwide referendum, an ICM opinion poll found the Leave campaign held a 53-47 percent advantage over Remain, once respondents who had not made up their mind were excluded.

The survey – published on Monday evening – was the largest lead for Brexit found by Britain’s main polling companies since the referendum was called in February.

Polling expert John Curtice, a professor at Strathclyde University, said the survey result showed the outcome of the referendum could be in doubt.

He told The Guardian: “These results are consistent with the generality of numbers over the last couple of weeks, in which there has been some weakening in the remain position.

“It was already plain that this race was far closer than the prime minister [David Cameron] intended and he must now be feeling discomfort at the thought that the outcome really could be in doubt.”

Immigration has emerged as the dominant issue of the referendum campaign, with many voters believing an exit from the EU would help reduce the number of foreigners migrating to the U.K for work.

Voters go to the polls on Thursday, June 23.