To Brexit or Not to Brexit? UK Agrees to Soften EU Exit Referendum Question

The UK government on Tuesday agreed to make changes in the wording of the question to be posed in an upcoming referendum on the country's EU membership to make it more neutral, in accordance to a proposal from the Electoral Commission, a government spokesperson said.

LONDON (Sputnik) — Jenny Watson, the chairman of the Electoral Commission, had previously said that every question put to the public should be clear to the great possible extent. She suggested rephrasing the current question as it was found to induce voters to support retaining the country's membership in the union.

The British government spokesperson told journalists that the government would follow the recommendations of the Electoral Commission and make an amendment to the bill.

If Parliament approves the move, the words "or leave the European Union?" will be added to the current wording "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union?" The possible answers to be included on the referendum ballot will also be changed to "Remain a member of the European Union" or "Leave the European Union" instead of simple Yes/No responses.

British Prime Minister David Cameron has vowed to hold a referendum on the country’s possible exit from the European Union by the end of 2017. Before holding the vote, Cameron is seeking a revision of the terms of Britain’s EU membership, including greater autonomy in defining national immigration policy.