蜜芽传媒

Britain is heading into a general election in May with its continued membership of the European Union one of the key issues. The Conservative Party 鈥� the senior partner in a coalition government for the past five years 鈥� is campaigning with the promise of a referendum on EU membership.

The UK Independence Party 鈥� currently third in opinion polls, with a big growth of support in recent years 鈥� strongly advocates leaving. The other parties with significant national support want to stay in. What would a possible exit from the EU mean for Britain 鈥� and what would it mean for the EU?

How would a vote to leave affect the UK鈥檚 economy, its trade, foreign investment and its vitally important financial services sector? Also, would a Britain outside the EU be able to play a major role on the world stage? How would it affect its 鈥渟pecial relationship鈥� with the United States?

Image: British and EU flags. Credit: Thinkstock