EU referendum: We asked 359,217 Independent readers if they were in or out - and the results were unbelievably close

The Independent backed Remain - but this is what our readers thought

Thursday 23 June 2016 11:00 BST

Ukip leader Nigel Farage on board a boat taking part in a Fishing for Leave pro-Brexit "flotilla" on the River Thames, London.Wednesday June 15, 2016

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They're the 16 words that could change Britain forever: should the United Kingdom Remain a member of the European Union or Leave the European Union?

Follow the latest live updates on the EU referendum here

Over the last month we have asked 359,217 users reading more than 100 articles to answer the exact question British voters will as they go to to polls on Thursday - and now the final result is in.

Independent readers back Remain - barely

While the outcome of our Apester poll is in no way scientific, it shows that readers want Britain to remain in the EU with a 51-49 per cent split .

The world wants us to Leave - but Britain wants to stay

Those living outside the UK and Europe, notably in Canada, Australia and America, want us to Leave – but our British readers want us to Remain in the EU by 53 per cent to 47 per cent.

The data hasn't been weighted and is only repesentative of what our users think rather than the results of the referendum. But as John Rentoul, our chief political commentator, notes: "These results are fascinating because the outcome is so spookily evenly balanced. It's not a representative survey but it's interesting that Independent readers are so Independent."

Seven areas that could swing EU referendum

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