EU Referendum results – live coverage
Polling stations busy as voting gets under way
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EU referendum results – live tracker
9.59pm BST
The polls are closing now following a campaign which many believe was the most divisive in British politics.
On election nights, it’s usually at this time that broadcasters put out their exit polls and make their projection for the night ahead.
Related: EU referendum result: counting begins in poll to decide Britain's future – live
9.52pm BST
We’re getting some reports around the country of people who say that they have been turned away from election booths.
They include people who turned up, polling card in hand, only to be told that their name was not on a list.
9.38pm BST
Has Boris Johnson conceded defeat even before the polling stations close or is this a little bit of mischief?
Lewis Iwu, a Londoner, says that he bumped into the MP on the underground a little earlier and was asked if he voted leave.
Just been asked on tube by @BorisJohnson if I voted leave. I say no. He concedes He's lost anyway. Awkward #EUref pic.twitter.com/sAGcNevw3l
9.33pm BST
We’re into the last half an hour of voting. Traditionally there’s a bit of a rush in some places. Let’s see ...
9.27pm BST
As any veteran of election/referendum all-nighters knows, it’s crucial to have a ready supply of unhealthy sugary drinks and snacks close to hand. Bit worried about Robert Peston’s paltry stock at ITV at this stage ...
The referendum M&Ms are out and on the table - @tombradby has 2 packs down by his feet all night, @Peston tucking in pic.twitter.com/mim2IO2vPt
9.20pm BST
Global stock markets have been climbing sharply today as investors took the view that the UK was increasingly unlikely to vote to leave the European Union, reports the Guardian’s Nick Fletcher.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average has just closed 1.29% higher, with banking shares among the main gainers. Earlier in London the FTSE 100 finished 1.23% higher, while the pound is currently up 1% at $1.4875.
But the recent rally could be dramatically reversed if the leave campaign does end up winning the day.
9.16pm BST
Away from the torrential rain in some parts of Britain, the possibility of Brexit has been very much on the minds of Britons in sunny southern Spain. A sleepless night beckons for some, it seems.
The Guardian’s Sam Jones has been canvassing opinion in Orihuela Costa, the largest British enclave in Spain:
Early evening found Colin Lindgren nursing an al fresco pint at the Emerald Isle club and reflecting on his paradoxical feelings about Brexit.
Like many of the expats who have made homes here, the retired 75-year-old, originally from Bedfordshire, would hate to give up the life of sunshine he and his wife have enjoyed for 14 years.
9.11pm BST
Academic researchers have concluded that 61.6% of young voters intended to vote to remain in the EU.
That’s a survey – the details have just come – by Oxford and University of Manchester researchers who worked with the data firm RIWI to run the survey from the beginning of March up to June. Partial responses came from 7,444 people under the age of 40.
9.01pm BST
A last email push is being made by both sides.
One which has arrived from Boris Johnson says:
Polls close in 90 minutes, so obviously we don’t have time for long emails. If you have voted leave, thank you.
If you haven’t yet, please do. And please email, text or phone all your friends to Vote Leave.
It looks like there could be a record number of people at the polls today, showing just how historic an event and how important this decision is to all of us.
If you haven’t voted yet — don’t miss out on being a part of it.
8.53pm BST
A dispatch comes in from Glastonbury, where the Guardian’s Hannah Ellis-Petersen says that there’s general agreement that the “Glastonbury bubble” is a welcome break from the political bickering. That said:
Glastonbury organisers Michael and Emily Eavis may have had no qualms about loudly declaring their voting intentions in the EU referendum, but the once-in-a-generation poll proved more divisive among the 180,000 festivalgoers who arrived in the last 24 hours.
Eavis was not allowed to have a polling station on site but had repeatedly urged people coming on Thursday or before to arrange either a postal or proxy vote – advice it seems many followed.
8.43pm BST
A council in an area where a polling booth was temporarily closed after a man was stabbed nearby has been using Twitter to let voters know that it’s open again.
The polling station at Waverley Road, Hudds, has now reopened. Anyone who could not vote in the 30 minute closure can return up to 10pm
8.27pm BST
Remain campaigners in Islington, a Labour stronghold that includes the constituencies of Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry, seem confident that rain and occasional thunder and lightning haven’t damaged their chances of success.
The Guardian’s David Pegg, who is anchored in deepest Islington, reports:
Despite comments from Nigel Farage earlier in the day anticipating that the bad weather could favour the leave campaign by putting off “soft remainers”, local activists canvassing outside schools and stations in an effort to reach parents and commuters said they felt positive.
“Turnout appears to have been fairly high. An awful lot of people are saying ‘I’ve already voted’,” said Freddie Wilkinson, leafleting outside Highbury and Islington station.
Remain camp outside Highbury and Islington station #euref pic.twitter.com/DdRNCC9uGF
8.23pm BST
That #usepens hashtag continues to trend on Twitter, with some gentle (and not so gentle) mockery of the urgings from some (mainly pro-Brexit) quarters for voters to bring their own pens to ensure their papers are not altered in favour of a remain vote.
Just voted. I took needle and black thread. I sewed in the cross on my ballot paper. My vote is secure! #usepens
#usepens I took my portable laminator with me that'll stop them tampering with my vote, try and rub that out.
8.13pm BST
The conversations are still going on in south Wales, reports the Guardian’s Steve Morris.
In Cardiff campaigners have set up next to the statue of Aneurin Bevan – Labour party icon and architect of the NHS.
Cardiff - the conversations still going on at the Aneurin Bevan statue. pic.twitter.com/FWc6fiCosP
@RhonddaBryant out and about in #Rhondda people coming up saying they #VotedRemain @welshlabour @UKLabourIN pic.twitter.com/9xeP1D7s9Q
8.05pm BST
So, are the polls going to get it right this time? The Guardian’s Tom Clark has been looking at how the EU referendum is the pollsters’ big chance to regain some credibility.
Here’s a snatch
The big flaw unveiled in the thorough post-election inquiry for the industry, by Prof Patrick Sturgis, has not been satisfactorily addressed.
The root problem, he found, was not last-minute jitters in the ballot box or inadequate turnout filters, but rather a brute failure by the pollsters to interview the right people.
7.58pm BST
For those having trouble getting home because of the weather, I’m afraid it’s too late to apply for an emergency proxy – the deadline was 5pm today.
It seems unlikely that transport problems would be accepted as a valid reason anyway, as people stranded overseas today because of the strike by French air traffic controllers were told they were not entitled to appoint an emergency proxy.
In London/SE and want to vote in the #EURef? Make sure you plan now to get back to your local polling station by 10pm!
7.20pm BST
Very high turnouts have been reported in the back yard of the only pro-Brexit MP in Bristol, Charlotte Leslie.
Clerks in polling stations on council estates, littered with leave signs, said that they were “not as high as 75%, but close”.
Turnout high in these parts pic.twitter.com/eUlbn4D8hy
7.14pm BST
West Yorkshire police have confirmed that they were called to a stabbing near a polling station in Huddersfield at 5.15pm, but said the incident had nothing to do with today’s referendum.
The polling station on Waverley Road was closed for half an hour to “contain the scene”, but has now reopened.
7.10pm BST
The problems at London transport hubs could potentially affect the ability of thousands of people to vote.
Waterloo, where there appears to be no service at all, serves 90 million passengers a year, which is about 250,000 a day on average (although the average obviously includes weekends and holidays).
At London Cannon St. No trains. Haven't voted. Ballot on kitchen table in Kent #EUref #flooding pic.twitter.com/aalup8IZjH
Chaos and overcrowding at London stations. People at Charing Cross panicking about getting home to vote (including me!).
London Bridge Station shut!!! Aragh! Just hope I can board a train in time to vote! #EUreferendum #VoteRemain
Well I've made it through the scrum onto a train at Victoria. Let's hope it moves now. I'm only on this train to get to vote!!
6.34pm BST
A reader has got in touch to say that turnout may not be high everywhere:
@Haroon_Siddique for balance re turnout: dad is poll clerk in Dudley, says pretty slow so far, maybe 40% only
6.32pm BST
Scotland’s chief returning officer, Mary Pitcaithly, has predicted overall turnout in Scotland will reach about 70-80% after a day of “steady” voting at polling stations.
Pitcaithly told BBC Radio Scotland she did not expect turnout to reach the 85% seen in the Scottish independence referendum in September 2014, which she oversaw, but agreed it would still be high.
6.30pm BST
The storms have brought Waterloo station to a standstill, potentially affecting thousands of passengers who may not have voted.
The station is a major hub for people commuting from outside London many of whom would likely have left in the morning too early to vote.
Or maybe stuck at Waterloo, watching the crowds, destined to rue my missed vote for evermore pic.twitter.com/QuSeg918iq
Still stuck on a @SW_Trains train in Waterloo. Can I apply for an emergency proxy vote? #wexit
I did want to vote #referendum #waterloo pic.twitter.com/1P4Qm6frdv
Can't vote if we are all stuck at Waterloo station, this may cause an issue! #EUref #EUreferendum
6.14pm BST
More on the pens saga from PA, which reports that police were called to a polling station where a woman was handing out pens to fellow voters after a volunteer reported a “disturbance”.
A Sussex Police spokesman said:
Police were called to Durnford Close, Chichester, at around 12.25pm on Thursday 23 June by a volunteer reporting a disturbance outside a polling station.
A PCSO [police community support officer] who was in the area went to the scene and spoke with a woman who was handing out pens.
5.56pm BST
There are some interesting tweets about turnout coming through:
Experienced clerk in a Dorset polling station predicts turnout there by 10pm (incl postal votes already received) between 78% - 82%. #EUref
Some places in Leicestershire seeing record turnout too and record postal votes, I'm told
5.52pm BST
Schools in Bristol, painted as a great remain heartland, ran mock referenda today. Of course it’s not the real thing and only a bit of a laugh but there was an interesting split. In the affluent northern suburb at Redland Green school, of the 475 staff and pupils who voted, 440 backed staying in the EU. That’s 93% of the vote.
Meanwhile in the less well-off southern fringe of Hartcliffe, students were more evenly split. Pupils at Bridge Learning Campus in Hartcliffe backed remain.
In the @Bristol_BLC EU referendum students voted to remain by 51% with a turnout of 61% Thanks for taking part!
5.48pm BST
Some interesting constituency by constituency figures are coming out of Northern Ireland that show voting is slow in republican areas while unionist districts are recording higher votes.
In North Down - the most affluent constituency in Northern Ireland - polling stations were reporting that 22% of the electorate had voted by lunchtime today. North Down usually records one of the lowest electoral turnouts in Westminster and Stormont Assembly elections.
5.41pm BST
After the BBC reported earlier this week that poll station staff were receiving “training in what a selfie is”, with the hope of preventing photography while people vote, it appears smartphones are posing a threat to the privacy of poll booths.
Taking a photo inside a polling station is not of itself against the law but section 66 of the Representation of the People Act says:
No person shall communicate at any time to any person any information obtained in a polling station as to the referendum answer for which a voter in that station is about to vote or has voted.
5.22pm BST
Here is a round-up of the key developments so far today:
5.12pm BST
Investors have put their money on a vote to remain in Britain’s EU referendum, with the pound hitting a new high for 2016 and the FTSE 100 share index rallying strongly.
As the market exuberance of recent trading sessions continued throughout polling day itself, there were, however, fresh warnings that investors were setting themselves up for heavy losses in the event of a Brexit when the outcome of the referendum becomes clear on Friday.
Clearly the key issue now for currency markets is whether rising expectations that the status quo will prevail are well-placed.
Most of the results from the local counting areas are expected by the early hours of tomorrow morning with the official outcome anticipated by around breakfast time. Dramatic exchange rate swings are to be expected regardless of the result, with a sharp drop in the pound’s value possible in the event of a Brexit.
4.35pm BST
It may be polling day but there is no respite from the bitterness between the two opposing campaigns.
Stronger in Europe has hit out at a plea by Vote Leave chief executive Matthew Elliot, sent by email to Brexit supporters, urging them to vote, because:
There is a very real chance that voters in London and Scotland will vote to keep us in the EU today despite the heartlands of the country voting to leave.
Vote Leave are ending this campaign as they began it – by seeking to divide our country not unite it, turning regions, nations and communities against one another.
Londoners and Scots have as much right to exercise their democratic choice as anyone else. Implying that our votes are somehow less legitimate than those cast in other parts of Britain is utterly disgraceful.
The @vote_leave campaign team not just desperate but weird. Since when did London/Scotland stop being UK heartlands? pic.twitter.com/rJz41e5Jzw
4.29pm BST
Pollsters have suggested that the elderly are more likely to vote and more likely to vote “leave”. So the vote by Keith Adams’s mum today may come as little surprise but it was the way she exercised her democratic right that got it trending on Twitter.
Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. In a very loud voice she said, "Which box for out?" A cheer went up from waiting voters
Just took my 93 year old mum to vote. She's registered blind. She shouted "Expecto Patronum" to banish the Dementors. Everyone cheered.
Took 93yr old mum and her friend to vote. #EUref pic.twitter.com/p0R1Ku2Y6P
Just took 93yr Mum to vote, she's registered blind. She's unaware I took her to Ladbrokes where she voted for Iceland to win the Euros
4.05pm BST
Earlier the pound surged to a 2016 high against the dollar and also appreciated against the Euro but it has fallen back this afternoon:
#Sterling falling sharply vs $USD and $EUR - @Reuters#Brexit #Remain #EUref #EUreferendum pic.twitter.com/vtoAy9mDL2
3.29pm BST
One of my Guardian colleagues, Maya Wolfe-Robinson, has been told that an inability to get back to vote because of strike action on the continent is insufficient reason to be allowed an emergency proxy.
So I'm stranded in Italy due to French air traffic control strikes&unable to vote.Apparently others in same position
Electoral services won't allow as reason for emergency proxy though which seems pretty unfair. Any suggestions?
@ElectoralCommUK stuck in Barcelona due to French air traffic control strike, I need to vote
Well I wanted 2 #leave Europe 2day but the French Air Traffic strike has forced me 2 #remain so I can't vote now but at least the sun is out
3.12pm BST
3.10pm BST
Earlier we highlighted this lovely gallery of quirky polling stations up and down the land from the Guardian’s picture desk. We’re also starting to receive pictures from readers around the country.
Emma Cozzi sent this, a church community centre in Hove.
3.03pm BST
Amidst all the political gambling on the outcome of the referendum, William Hill points to an interesting activity in a side bet on Theresa May becoming the next Tory leader.
2.55pm BST
Nigel Farage is still expected at a Leave.EU party hosted by Ukip donor Arron Banks tonight, despite triggering speculation over his whereabouts by pulling out of a Channel 4 debate last night citing family reasons.
2.47pm BST
The library in Birstall, outside which MP Jo Cox was murdered seven days ago, is serving as a polling station and there is a light police presence outside.
David Smith, the deputy returning officer in the area, says turnout seems high (postal voter turnout looks like it will be over 80%) and that the region’s count hall in Huddersfield will hold a minute’s silence for the MP at 11.30am.
2.38pm BST
Turnout could be similar to last year’s general election, according to a BMG Research poll for the Electoral Reform Society [ERS]. It found that 67% of people said they would definitely vote and a further 12% said they would probably vote. At last year’s election the turnout was 66%.
A high turnout is thought likely to favour remain, but the survey also found that older people who are more likely to vote leave are more likely to vote than younger people.
2.23pm BST
Welsh first minister – and Labour leader in Wales - Carwyn Jones has voted.
Carwyn Jones @fmwales has cast his vote. "Let's stay in, stay strong and stay together. By voting to remain" #EUref pic.twitter.com/Yngzj8G04F
2.21pm BST
Remain campaigners in Glasgow have set up a wish tree in Buchanan Street to rival those set up during the independence campaign.
In case you missed this from the indyref it was a charmingly empowering/nauseatingly twee device that we had a lot up here with folk leaving their wishes for an independent Scotland.
There *is* an #EURef wish tree! All is not lost... https://t.co/xcCuq04Uqf
2.13pm BST
Nigel Farage has put out a final Leave.EU video appeal that picks up Boris Johnson rallying cry to make today “Independence Day”. It features lots of nostalgic clips: Ian Botham winning the ashes in 1981, British troops in the Falklands, steam trains, and spitfires.
1.58pm BST
Column Eastwood leader of the SDLP has used his daughter Rosa (who is one today) to make a last ditch video appeal for remain.
Talking outside a local polling station in Derry city he said: “I want to make sure Rosa grows up in the European Union”.
1.48pm BST
We’ve been asking our readers to send over their referendum day photographs and comments. Here’s a selection:
Mark, 49, Cologne:
The EU referendum has been in the news here a lot and Germany is fully aware of the implications whichever way the result goes. Germany does not want to see the UK leave and truly believe we’re stronger together. I’m an expat who came to Germany after leaving the RAF and married my German spouse. I came over 20 years ago. Now all I can now do is sit and watch, as I’m not allowed to vote due to being away from the UK for too long. The rest of my family are all in the UK and I know they’ll be making the right decision. As for me? I will have to wait until breakfast tomorrow for the result.
It was a busy polling station in Melbourne at 7am this morning, I was accompanied to vote by my cocker spaniel, Bella and border terrier, Daisy, who are now regular attendees at the polling station. Unfortunately the dogs were so enthusiastic they ruined a fellow voters white trousers by jumping up!
I’m a student at the University of London Institute in Paris, and will be following the coverage in Paris with my other British friends who live here. None of the French people can understand why we would leave. I don’t either.
My polling station has pimped up for the day with a lot of patriotic memorabilia. Is this what democracy looks like?
I’ve only voted twice before, but both of those times I was in and out of the polling station within minutes. Today, when I arrived, there was a queue of around 15 people lined up outside – it was 8am! The most encouraging thing was that of these 15 people, around two thirds were under 25. I’m so glad that my generation is engaging in this referendum, which in my opinion could be the most important decision we could make.
1.42pm BST
There’s been little sign of leave campaigner Boris Johnson today. That’s because he’s been attending his daughter graduation ceremony in St Andrews. Will he make it back to London in time to vote?
1.37pm BST
A poll of polls by Britain Elects puts the likely outcome on 51% for remain and 49% for leave.
With Populus, Mori, ComRes, YouGov, Opinium, TNS and Survation, our averages stand at: Remain: 51.0%
Leave: 49.0% pic.twitter.com/C8jebJ9aAA
1.30pm BST
Polls in the last 10 days of the campaign have been split, but the last four all have Remain ahead.
The final final polling table - the numbers against which the pollsters will be judged pic.twitter.com/0wyCVgo4Qy
1.28pm BST
Long queues have been reported outside some polling stations as voters cast their ballots in Britain’s closely fought EU referendum.
In London and parts of the south-east many were forced to brave torrential rain and navigated flooded streets to have their say.
Related: Long queues reported outside referendum polling stations
1.22pm BST
Voting is said to be “brisk” across Northern Ireland in the EU referendum according to the Electoral Office in the region.
Unofficially it is said the vote could be as high as 70% in the region.
1.19pm BST
North Wiltshire Tory MP James Gray (a passionate leave supporter) says if people vote to remain he will accept “the democratic will of the people”, but only if it is a “reasonable majority” suggestion around 60-40.
Are the Leave campaigners paving the way for the next wave of campaigning if they lose?
Wilts MP James Gray (leave supporter) says he will accept remain result - if it's "reasonable" maj - say 60/40. pic.twitter.com/nfUAD4obQU
1.16pm BST
Betfair has taken £5m on the EU referendum this morning as punters rush to place final bets ahead of tomorrow’s results.
There has been a flurry of bets, predominantly on staying in the EU, according to a spokeswoman. “The Scottish referendum saw nearly £10m traded on the day, so we’re anticipating at least that amount,” she said.
1.09pm BST
There’s been flooding outside the Grange primary school in Newham, east London.
Eyewitness Ben March said people were “hitching up their trousers and wading through the water” to cast their votes.
There should be no problem accessing and assistance is on hand for those needing it.
The polling station at Sacred Heart School, New Malden today. Wear your wellies to vote! #Referendum #Flooding pic.twitter.com/ihgvZCPnKf
Heavy rainfall overnight has lead to us having to move a polling station in Chessington pic.twitter.com/1n6AJhE0fw
Heavy rainfall overnight has lead to us having to move a further polling station in Malden Manor pic.twitter.com/xmnC0RfbXP
1.04pm BST
Tea rooms, front rooms, mobile homes, a Buddhist centre and a launderette – here’s our photo gallery of quirky polling stations.
Related: Quirky referendum polling stations - in pictures
12.34pm BST
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has voted at Tonypandy in south Wales.
Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood leaves polling station in Penygraig, s. Wales #referendum #EUref pic.twitter.com/lGtnk6sZb1
12.33pm BST
Down amongst the detail of today’s Ipsos Mori poll are a couple of interesting nuggets. Two weeks into the campaign the Ipsos Mori polls showed that immigration had overtaken concerns about the impact of Brexit on the economy as the issue which was the most important in helping people to decide how to vote.
Last week’s poll which had a six point Leave lead had 33% of people naming immigration as the decisive issue for them.
#GBP jumps after @IpsosMORI releases opinion -not exit- poll for 52% Remain. #EUref pic.twitter.com/uBBRj7GjQe
12.30pm BST
Spain’s El Mundo carries an interview with Winston Churchill’s grandson, Sir Nicholas Soames. In it, not for the first time, Soames declares : “My grandfather would have voted to remain.”
#LaPortada del jueves 23 de junio. pic.twitter.com/7FypDH3MJh
Me gustaba más cuando los británicos intentaban liberar Europa que cuando intentan abandonarla #Bremain https://t.co/2MMJpZqMKI
Related: 'Britons, vote in our name': UK referendum dominates continental front pages
12.26pm BST
The first Brexit copycat has emerged in a country that has not yet gained entry to the EU.
12.23pm BST
Brexit dominates Italy’s front pages, deemed “Europe’s longest day” by La Repubblica and business daily Il Sole 24 Ore.
Rome’s top paper, Il Messaggero, carries a bleak image of the “anxiety and fear of the British, divided on the destiny of the Kingdom”. It says the climate in Britain has become even more poisonous since the murder of MP Jo Cox. The staunchly anti-EU Il Giornale carries a photo of a “Keep Calm & Vote Leave” van, declaring that whoever wins, Brussels has lost.
12.16pm BST
Here’s a summary of where things currently stand just over five hours since polls opened:
11.51am BST
Help us document what’s happening around the UK on polling day by sharing your stories, photos and videos. Show us what’s been happening in your community and at polling stations around the country. If you’re following the election from outside of the UK, tell us how and why. We’ll feature your stories throughout our coverage, so get in touch.
You can share your photos and experiences by clicking on the blue ‘Contribute’ button at the top of the live blog.
Related: What's happening where you are on EU referendum polling day?
11.50am BST
More about pencils (number 2 on the Cowley list). A trusted contact of our North of England editor Helen Pidd, emailed this:
“I run a polling station and it is very noticeable how many voters today are bringing their own pens and even sharpies to register their vote rather than use the pencils provided in the booth. Worrying lack of trust in the counting system and I assume someone has put out some sort of rumour that votes made in pencil can be erased, which as you know is ridiculous.
I voted in pencil just in case MI5 need to change it later
11.43am BST
Spaniards tend to be very proud Europeans, which is one of the reasons there’s so much interest here in the referendum.
But there’s another very, very strong reason why Spanish eyes are fixed so firmly on the UK today.
11.40am BST
The LibDems lit up the foot of Edinburgh castle with a Remain messages.
11.31am BST
In what is believed to be the first ever poll published on polling day, Ipsos Mori gives Remain a four point lead.
The phone survey was completed in the days before the referendum.
EU referendum poll:
Remain: 52% (+5)
Leave: 48% (-5)
(via Ipsos Mori, phone)
Excl. DKs.
All the phone polls show REMAIN leads
All but YouGov of the online polls have LEAVE in the lead
11.23am BST
As predicted by Cowley (number three on his list of things to watch), we’re seeing a lot of dogs at polling stations.
Dogs! That's 5/10 already. And it's only 9am. https://t.co/PxAJuObTr9
#DogsAtPollingStations #dogmocracyinaction
I've done my bit. pic.twitter.com/tEAprpMFQy
Just voted with @BuddyPortsmouth in #EUreferendum #dogsatpollingstations pic.twitter.com/PDYnTk13Vm
11.20am BST
Ukip leader Nigel Farage joked with reporters that he had been “undecided” how to vote as he arrived at a polling station in a primary school near his home in north Kent.
11.15am BST
Spain’s acting prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, has taken an unequivocal line on Brexit, warning earlier this month that a leave vote affect the hundreds of thousands of Britons who live in Spain and “would be very negative for everyone and from every perspective”.
Divorce from the EU, he stressed, would see British citizens forfeiting the rights to live and work across the continent.
11.08am BST
Google Trends has been looking at what UK internet users have been searching for in connection with the referendum.
The top issues by local authority revealed that ‘immigration’ (in red) was very prominent all over the country, but so too was the ‘NHS’ and the search term ‘Expats’. ‘Trade’ and the ‘economy’ were less prevalent.
10.58am BST
The leave campaign has covered more of provincial and rural England in its efforts to persuade Britons to quit the EU, while the remain side has concentrated on urban centres.
Analysis by the Guardian, which pinpoints campaign stops made by four prominent campaigners on either side of the debate in the five weeks to 16 June, shows the leave side has largely ignored Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, while the remain camp has been absent in a large swath of eastern England.
Related: Split vote: EU referendum campaigns target heartland supporters
10.53am BST
Looking a little quiet on the Isles of Scilly at the moment.
Can't wait?
Scilly is aiming to be first in the UK to return the #referendum vote today We are racing Sunderland RT pic.twitter.com/zDOlO9cmFk
10.51am BST
Over in the City, shares have hit their highest level since late April as investors remain glued to the EU referendum vote.
The FTSE 100 index of blue-chip shares jumped by 1.5% to a two-month high, before dipping back a little, as Brits headed to the polling booths. Mining stocks and financial firms are among the risers.
Related: Pound and shares soar as investors await EU referendum result – business live
10.48am BST
The Leave camp has a “very strong chance” of pulling off one of the biggest political upheavals of recent times, Ukip leader Nigel Farage has insisted.
Speaking outside his Kent home, Farage told PA: “Actually I do think we are in with a very strong chance, I do genuinely. But it’s all about turnout and those soft Remainers staying at home.”
10.44am BST
Who knows what happened in the privacy of the voting booth? Here’s video of Labour leader and reluctant remain campaigner before and after casting his vote in Islington.
“The bookies usually get it right,” Corbyn is heard to mutter, before adding “they got it wrong on me big time last year, didn’t they?”
10.38am BST
Justice secretary and leading Leave campaigner, Michael Gove, has voted in Kensignton. He was accompanied by his wife Sarah Vine, the Daily Mail columnist who is the godmother to David Cameron’s youngest daughter. Note the Vote Leave brolley.
10.31am BST
Thorbjørn Jagland, the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, said he hoped Britons would choose to stay in, but said Europe would deal with the issue in a “rational way” if the verdict was to leave, writes Saeed Kamali Dehghan in Oslo.
Hva skjer om britene løsriver seg fra EU? Skjebnevalget er i dag. pic.twitter.com/jxiXpQL43Q
10.21am BST
Labour activists are reporting brisk early business at polling stations in the south Welsh valleys, where the party has been working hard to get the vote out in one of its traditional heartlands.
But the result in Wales is going to be fascinating following Ukip’s excellent showing at the assembly elections last month when the party took seven seats.
I've done it!First time in my life I've voted.Heavily influenced by 2 people I trust.@campbellclaret & @michaelsheen .Can always blame them
10.16am BST
Gibraltar’s pro-remain chief minister Fabian Picardo has cast his vote. Polls suggest that 85% of the island want to remain in the EU.
10.06am BST
In his ten things to watch Philip Cowley warned us to be careful of reports of high turn out (see earlier).
But we can’t resist having some anecdotal reports from respected sources (what else can we write about on polling day?).
Queues like I've never seen out the polling station in hackney pic.twitter.com/oDUBM7wBVj
I've never see such queues at my polling station as today! Swell them folks! Swell them!
Quite brisk turnout at my local Polling Station (Southampton) - queue at 7am. Seems slightly above gen election turnout.
Two for the price of one. https://t.co/EeauoGR15A
9.49am BST
Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon voted early.
9.43am BST
Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind the Gruffalo, has created an image for the Guardian to demonstrate his support for Britain remaining in the EU.
Related: 'There's no such thing as a Brusselo!'
9.37am BST
Edinburgh council has reported that nearly a fifth of the city’s 345,000 voters have already submitted postal votes in the EU referendum, with more than 82% of the city’s postal voters returning their ballot paper by Wednesday evening.
The city has a high number of registered postal voters at 22%. The number returned so far does not include late submissions – postal votes can be handed into polling places on polling day. That 82% interim turnout is close to the 86% UK average for postal vote returns in the 2015 general election.
9.36am BST
Remains campaigners are out in force in the West End and Partick areas of Glasgow, with the leave camp conspicuous by their absence around polling stations.
But I’m told that’s because Leave are concentrating on their get out the vote operation. Plus, the student/middle class/SNP make-up of the area probably doesn’t speak to their core support.
Remainers out in force in Glasgow's Hillhead as polling station officials report steady flow of early voters #EUref pic.twitter.com/bkJFhtRT5H
9.32am BST
Landmark buildings across Europe, including in Madrid and Warsaw, have been lit up with a Union Jack to show support for the Remain campaign, according to video from the Business Insider.
9.27am BST
Here’s video of David and Samantha on their way to vote in central London.
9.25am BST
Leading leave campaigner Boris Johnson has told the Telegraph that today’s vote is more important to him than his future in British politics.
“Frankly, if this is the end of my political career… I’ve done eight years as mayor of London, I enjoyed it hugely, it was a massive privilege. Fine by me.”
Related: Steve Bell’s If ... Boris Johnson takes leave of the solar system
9.13am BST
Both David Cameron and Jeremy Corbyn have cast their votes.
9.02am BST
Philip Cowley, who teaches politics at Queen Mary University of London, has 10 things be wary of today.
2. Pencils! Pencils! Pencils! “I was asked to use a pencil. I refused, and used a pen”.
4. Reports of problems at polling stations. This one is guaranteed.
6. Everyone suddenly becoming an expert on share price movements.
8. “Is there going to be an exit poll?”
10. “No, that’s not an exit poll”.
8.48am BST
Reuters has followed up that front page promise by the German tabloid Bild to recognise England’s disputed goal in the 1966 world cup final.
If Britain stays, @BILD will acknowledge the Wembley goal #EUref #Tomorrowspaperstoday @suttonnick pic.twitter.com/DPxHo0IbK9
8.42am BST
One voter said she had to be carried into a flooded polling station.
I just had to be carried into a flooded polling station. It's something biblical... #remain pic.twitter.com/T8qeGC3zEd
8.37am BST
Police said they were not expecting trouble as tens of millions of Britons are expected to vote in Thursday’s referendum.
Despite a bitter and heated campaign, police said they expected a peaceful day. Police commanders have been issued with extensive guidance on how to minimise the chances of electoral fraud with police chiefs keen not avoid getting caught up in the rancour surrounding Brexit.
8.31am BST
No voting problems reported so far in Barnet. The London borough has a lot to prove after hundreds of people, including the chief rabbi, Ephraim Mirvis, were turned away at last month’s elections after a voting register blunder.
Polling stations open from 7am to 10pm today. Check the full list of polling stations in Barnet here: https://t.co/vb0HCJs5zw #EUref
8.23am BST
The Sun and the Guardian are diametrically opposed on the referendum, but both papers used views from space on their front pages to make their differing cases.
The Sun has Britain heading for the sunny uplands on “Independence Day” - the rallying cry of leave campaigner Boris Johnson.
Thursday's Sun front page: Independence Day #Tomorrowspaperstoday #bbcpapers #EUref pic.twitter.com/AuLEe5znw4
Guardian front page, Thursday 23 June: Last-ditch push to stay in Europe pic.twitter.com/xTHZwXGVgL
Read our editor's full letter to readers on the #euref here https://t.co/5QEjLxOX98 pic.twitter.com/iBG21zie8N
8.05am BST
I’m handing over this live blog now to Matthew Weaver, who’ll cover the next several hours of polling day. Our live coverage runs right through to polls closing at 10pm and beyond, when Andrew Sparrow returns to catch all the results being churned out and turn them into sense. I’ll also be back on Friday morning for those key counts. Thanks for reading and for the many comments.
7.56am BST
The early morning weather in Glasgow is radiantly sunny, with all that is inferred to mean for turnout.
The Scottish papers are well aware of the importance of this country’s predicted EU-phile tendencies today, with the Scottish Daily Mail declaring that “Scotland holds the key to Brexit” and the Daily Record’s front-page banner urging readers to vote remain.
Polls open in #EUref - #VoteRemain to continue to be an outward looking nation. Let's make Scotland's voice heard.
We are stronger, safer and better off working with our friends and neighbours in the EU, not walking away. Vote #Remain.
7.51am BST
As the UK votes on whether to stay in the EU or leave, the Guardian sent seven photographers to capture the mood in various European communities who have made their home in the UK, from a Greek Orthodox church to a German bierkeller.
Whichever way you’re voting, these images are a beautiful way to kick off your day:
Related: 'Europe cannot stand alone without you': EU nationals in the UK – a photo essay
7.46am BST
There’s only one important item on the agendas of investors across the world today. Britain is heading to the polls after a lengthy, bitterly fought campaign to decide if she stays in the European Union, or should leave.
Traders in the City are preparing for a lengthy shift – perhaps staying late into the night, or returning to the office early tomorrow morning.
Related: Pound rallies as investors await EU referendum result – business live
7.40am BST
If you’re planning to stay up for the results tonight, you need to plot your day carefully. Sleep might, after all, be needed at some point. So my colleague Jessica Elgot has come up with this nifty hour-by-hour guide, starting from 10pm:
Polls will close, and on election nights this is normally the moment broadcasters show their exit polls and make their projection for the night ahead.
However, that won’t happen this time as there’s no exit poll for this referendum. Some banks are said to have commissioned private exit polls, but they will be kept for their employees.
Related: Referendum night: when to nap and the results to watch
7.33am BST
Of course, it’s not just London and south-east England that have weather. Other parts of the UK are also entitled to have weather. Theirs is rather better today:
It's a gloriously sunny morning in Glasgow; assuming will positively affect turno