国际英语新闻:British voters go to polling stations for EU referendum

LONDON, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Voters have been going to polling stations Thursday to cast their votes to decide whether Britain will stay in or leave the EU, as downpours hit London and southeast England.

British Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha appeared at the polling station of the Central Methodist Hall in Westminster, London on Thursday morning and cast their votes for the EU Referendum.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn cast his ballot at Pakeman primary school in his Islington constituency. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's First Minister, and UKIP leader Nigel Farage have cast their vote at their local polling stations.

Heavy rain has resulted in floods in some polling stations, while the London fire department reported weather-related incidents, including lightning striking property, flooded homes and vehicles being trapped. The Environment Agency has also issued flood warnings across southeast England, according to local media.

A polling station in Chessington was closed because of the overnight heavy rainfall and moved to another place. Some polling stations reported queues outside.

In a polling station at Swiss Cottage Central Library, London, Nima Rashidzaden cast his vote with his daughter on Thursday. He posted a selfie on social media, voting to stay in.

"I think both sides have been using the wrong arguments and elements, talking about the economy and migrants. If we are a member of the multiple forums, we have more rights to work in another country, better trade tariffs, equal competition, and that's good for consumers. UK, over the last 30 years, has won because of its diversity, why should we lose that," he said.

Another voter Lawrence Albert said: "I voted remain because even though I'm English, I speak French and German. I lived and worked in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland. My family members all support remain as they are from across Europe. If we go out, our economy will go out. Europe needs us, and we need each other."

Stefano Bertolotto was at an entrance of a tube station in northwest London in the morning, encouraging more people to vote remain before he went to work. He was handing out leaflets, and said he tried to tell people the benefits of voting remain.

"Most people I know will vote in. Remain will make more economic sense. If you exit, you will have trade barriers of the rest of Europe, you don't have more freedom to go and study in Europe, and the pounds will go down," he said.

In Liverpool, where support for Brexit was predicted to be strong, a straw poll showed overwhelming backing for remain.

Derek Fowler, 69, of Liverpool said: "I have seven grand kids and I voted to remain for them. Life for me is ok, so why change it. But I am more concerned about their futures. I feel being in the EU is better for them."

Joshua Langton and Hilary Wallis in Liverpool also voted remain. "There are pros and cons either way, but finally I think we are better off staying in," said Wallis.

"It's time for a change," said Leave voter Katie in Liverpool, while Jan Riozzi said until Wednesday night she was a leave supporter but changed her mind at the last minute and voted remain.

The ballot counting will start as soon as the polls close at 10 p.m. local time (2100 GMT). A total of 382 counting areas will be set up, with 380 located in England, Wales and Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland and one in Gibraltar.

The outcome is expected to be officially declared at the Manchester Town Hall in the early hours of Friday.

According to six main opinion polls from June 18 to 22, the "Leave" camp was tied with the "Remain" camp.