Survey of the social media reveals that immigration was the chief issue in Brexit referendum

A survey of the social media has revealed that immigration was the leading issue in the Brexit referendum. This was in a report of the analysis of the tweets around three million.

A group of the Sheffield University carried out this research which revealed that issues such as NHS or even sovereignty were left far behind when it came to the issue of managing the borders of the nation.

The report of the university stated that immigration was referred around 66,000 times by the supporters of Brexit in the period June to November of which most of the references came just before the crucial vote on 23 of June. On the other hand, the opponents of Brexit referred to the immigration issue only 40,000 times.

The survey also highlights that the issue of severing relations with Brussels, the article 50 was neglected prior to the voting on the referendum. A mere 750 tweets have been recorded that referred to this issue by both the parties to the Brexit debate.

It was quoted by The Daily mail that the survey carried out by the Buzz Feed news recognized 41,443 people who were in favor of Brexit and 41,445 tweets that were against Brexit. This differentiation was based on the hashtags that were used during the campaign.

The issues related to Brexit were then bifurcated amongst the tweets of these users for a period of six months.

The supporters of Brexit referred to immigration almost two times than they referred to other issues such as laws, NHS or even sovereignty.

On the aspect of control at the borders, the factor that influenced the Brexit supporters the most was the verdict of the courts in Europe. The supporters of Brexit referred to immigration almost four times that equaled the references made by the opponents of Brexit.

The reference to Article 50 was made in just 753 tweets just prior to the day of voting on the referendum. On the day when the High Court gave its verdict that Theresa May could not initiate the process without the consent of the parliament, it was referred by even more than 50,000 tweeters.

The research is significant in the background of a survey that has enhanced the pressure on Theresa May indicating that Brexit supporters will not accept financial losses.

In a poll conducted under the campaign for Open Brittan by You Gov, it was revealed that almost 51% of the respondents were not in favor of losing out financially as a result of breaking relations with Brussels.

The results of the survey indicate that it is going to be tough for the British Prime Minister to carry out the negotiations with the European Union. Theresa May has so far not disclosed anything as to what would be her demands but has all the while maintained that she can safeguard the interest of the nation.

Diverse sectors in London have increased lobbying in favor of retaining Britain in the single market. It has been feared that in the scenario of failure to do so, the financial firms in Britain would desert the nation.

On the other hand, leaders across Europe have clarified that it would be unacceptable to them disallow unrestricted movement of people for the members of a single market. The leaders have made it very clear that putting curbs on immigration would be unacceptable to the in the process that would come up in the future.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Theresa May is looking forward to utilizing the crucial position of Britain in the European markets in favor of her tough stand against immigration.