Things are heating up in Great Britain as the vote on the Big Brexit approaches. The Brits seem to be generally split on the subject, with those wishing to remain in the European Union holding a slim, but statistically solid edge over the past month. There are signs that things may be changing however, with recent polling indicating that the “Leave” forces are gaining ground. The one subject which seems to be winning them some points has less to do with currency exchange rates and nearly everything to do with the flood of migrants invading Europe and concerns over border control. (The Telegraph)

Public concern over immigration has delivered a “significant” boost to the Leave campaign amid growing concern about Britain’s ability to control its borders, a new poll suggests.

Leave now has 46 per cent of the vote share, with Remain on 51 per cent. The five point gap has been cut from 13 points last week.

The poll, by ORB, was carried out last week when new figures revealed that migration had risen to record levels; forecasts showed that immigration would add 4 million people to Britain’s population; and images of migrants drowning in the Mediterranean in their attempts to get to Europe emerged.

The British are dealing with what’s being described as the worst ever borders breach this summer, and have already ordered a new fleet of patrol boats to monitor the English Channel looking for smugglers. That’s on top of the problems they’re having with people coming through the tunnels. The levels of migrant crime in the UK don’t seem to be on par with what we’ve seen in Germany and surrounding environs (or at least don’t get as many headlines) but concerns are still being discussed.

The big issue does seem to be the volume of migrants, though. David Cameron had previously indicated that he would throttle back on the numbers, reducing them to just the tens of thousands for this year, but that hasn’t happened and he’s taking some heat over it from the public. That’s one of the key factors cited in this recent round of polling, in addition to phrases such as, “give us greater control of our lives.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to translate that one.

The exit question from this survey is one which is already showing up in British media. Cameron’s popularity is taking some hits over this subject and he’s being regularly attacked over it by former London Mayor Boris Johnson, a vocal Brexit supporter. Is this a bid by Johnson to move into a national leadership role now that his old job is finished? If so, you can bet he’ll be pushing a bit more of a secure borders agenda and not trying to keep the UK in the European Union.