Theatre and politics in the run-up to Britain's referendum

THE debate ahead of Britain's "in-out" European Union (EU) referendum on June 23 promises to be fierce and increasingly divisive. Opinion polls and bookmakers' odds will oscillate wildly.

Served up before Europe and the world will be theatre and politics of the highest order. The ultimate consequences will be profound and far-reaching. The debate encompasses questions of nationality, economics, jurisprudence, sovereignty and democracy.

This introduction provides the coup d'envoi to daily contributions by OMFIF over the next four months from commentators and observers from Britain and abroad, presenting distinctive perspectives that are intended to be intriguing, stimulating and partial. The series forms part of our overall referendum coverage, launched with a conference on March 3 in London, featuring Wolfgang Schäuble, the German finance minister, in co-operation with the German-British Forum and other organisations.