Britons to vote against Brexit, surveys show

London

SURVEYS show the majority of UK respondents and financial-market participants are betting the country will remain in the European Union (EU) after the June 23 referendum. They reason that the voters will choose continuation of the status quo because they fear trade deterioration and economic uncertainty if there is Brexit.

Despite the rally in sterling and the stock market, however, markets should be wary of a shock result, that is a win for the "leave" campaign.

The reason is that the vast majority of ordinary, middle and lower-income, non-elite British voters fear the consequences of increasing migration from the EU's free movement, open-door policy. They are worried about the shortage and high-priced housing and rentals and fear that the National Health System, state education and social servic…