Democracy is important. It is not just important, it is vital. It isn't perfect, but as Churchill said "Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the other." Voter registration has spiked ahead of the the referendum and some have estimated that turnout will be over 80%. A a benchmark there hasn't been a turnout higher than that in a general election since 1951. With the 1975 referendum falling just short of 65% it is not inconceivable that this poll could record the highest turnout of any since the end of the Second World War. If nothing else this is an issue people are interested in. My views on our membership of the EU are no secret. I have already voted to Leave and I hope that the majority of people in our country will do the same. I set out some of my views on why we should leave the EU and expand our horizons to the global stage in a previous post. Democracy is one of the many reasons why I believe we should leave the EU. Our membership takes decision making and accountability further away from the public and power resides in the hands of the unaccountable and unelected. As this referendum shows, there are no shortage of views about the future of our country, but I want the decisions that are taken about our future to be made by people who are accountable to the public. That is why this referendum is so significant. I'm not a fan of constant referenda, but this is a major constitutional issue, and these polls don't take place every week. Public engagement in this vote, on whichever side is important and encouraging. Whatever the result, and however close, the people will have spoken. It is likely that almost half of the population may not like what the other half have said but that is how democracy works. It is not just the politicians, but the public who will need to get behind Britain whether our future is inside or outside of the EU and accept that this question has been settled for our generation. Britain is strong within the EU, but our freedom is fettered and our sovereignty severely limited, we can be stronger out in the world. The world is uncertain, but I believe that Britain will be stronger and more able to adapt to the challenges of future decades and to thrive as an independent, sovereign nation that looks outward to the world, that works with our friends and allies in Europe but is not bound by a trans-national bureaucracy. The future can be even brighter for Britain, now is our opportunity, we must seize it.