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Britain’s EU referendum campaign resumes after MP murder

The Leave camp had been a few percentage points ahead in recent polling, but fresh surveys showing a rise in support for remaining brought the average neck-and-neck.

They included the first carried out since Cox’s murder: a Survation poll on Friday and Saturday that put the Remain on 45 percent and Leave on 42 percent.

The results were the reverse Survation’s Thursday poll, which had Leave ahead by 45 to 42.

Labour MP Cox had campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU.

She was shot and stabbed in the street in what police called a “targeted” daylight attack in her constituency.

Cox’s alleged killer Thomas Mair said “Death to traitors, freedom for Britain” when asked to give his name at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Saturday.

He was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on Monday at England’s central criminal court, and a psychiatric report has been requested.

Cox, 41, is survived by her husband Brendan and their children Lejla, five, and three-year-old Cuillin.

The murder, the first of a sitting British member of parliament since 1990, sent shockwaves around the world, drawing tributes from leaders including US President Barack Obama.

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A fund created in Cox’s memory by her friends and family has raised more than £570,000 ($820,000, 725,000 euros) for charities close to her heart.

– Weekly newspapers split –

In making their decisions, Britain’s Sunday newspapers tried to sway their readers in how to vote.

The Mail On Sunday warned it was “not the time to risk the peace and prosperity” of the UK.

“Our deepest desires must somehow be moderated to suit the increasingly tough reality of a competitive world,” the tabloid said.

“Those who would have you believe in the plucky Little England of the past are selling a dangerous illusion.”

The Observer said: “For an international, liberal and open Britain, we need to be part of the EU.”

The choice was between “going it alone” or a “messy, imperfect collective”, but “outside the EU, our role in the world would be diminished.”

The Sunday Telegraph, meanwhile, backed Brexit, declaring that the EU “belongs to the past”.

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“The Leave campaign has articulated an ambitious vision for Britain as an independent nation, once again free to make its own decisions,” it said.

The Sunday Times said “Yes, we must be prepared for difficulties, but we should hold our nerve” in voting Leave.

“This vote may be the only opportunity we shall ever have to call a halt to the onward march of the centralising European project.

“We can help our friends face a better future.”

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