After several months of saturation coverage of the EU referendum, the big day has arrived. At first glance, this national referendum on our future membership of the European Union would appear a glowing example of democracy in action.

Yet the establishment has already made its mind up. Sure, the odd hedge fund and company has announced its support for Brexit. However, the City of London and the big banks want to remain in the EU.

The US has stated its position clearly: President Obama has urged the UK to stay in. The US trade representative has announced that the US will not make a separate trade deal with the UK if it is outside the EU. The EU, and Germany specifically, also want Britain to remain.

So the big guns have been wheeled out to reassure the public that staying in is the right thing to do, from Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of England, to the former heads of MI5 and MI6.

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In other words, Brexit will simply not be allowed to happen. What appears to be an exercise in democratic legitimacy is, in fact, nothing more than smoke and mirrors.

The Brexit campaign has focused on national sovereignty particularly in relation to the question of immigration. However, the debate has been constrained within narrow parameters.

Tory Eurosceptics and Ukip are signed up to a neoliberal model of globalised capitalism. They may complain about EU bureaucrats meddling with how straight cucumbers and bananas are, but they hardly ever challenge the question of infringement of sovereignty due to European corporate power.

For example, you will rarely hear them mention the dangers of the transatlantic trade and investment partnership EU-US trade agreement – known as TTIP – even though this would open up and lock in privatisation of public services including the NHS. Again, you will not hear them discuss the undemocratic imposition of austerity in Greece and southern Europe by the Troika of the European Commission, the European Central bank and the International Monetary Fund. These issues are not on the table for discussion.

To paraphrase the businessman Darius Guppy, if you really want to preserve sovereignty then you would need to challenge the Washington consensus and the likes of Goldman Sachs.

The key issue is not whether we are in or out of Europe. It is what kind of Britain and Europe its citizens want to live in.

Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Show all 30 1 /30 Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? David Beckham (REMAIN) The former captain for the England international football team announced on Instagram that he was “voting to Remain”. He said: “We live in a vibrant and connected world where together as a people we are strong. For our children and their children we should be facing the problems of the world together and not alone.” Getty Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Victoria Beckham (REMAIN) 'I believe in my country, I believe in a future for my children where we are stronger together and I support the remain campaign.' Getty Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Daniel Craig (REMAIN) Actor He was pictured wearing a white T-shirt with the slogan: 'No man is an island. No country by itself. Vote Remain on 23rd June.' Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Bob Geldof (REMAIN) Irish singer expresses his support for the Remain vote as he waves from a boat carrying supporters for the 'Remain' campaign in London AFP/Getty Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? John Cleese (LEAVE) The Monty Python star signalled he will vote to leave the EU when he tweeted: "If I thought there was any chance of major reform in the EU, I'd vote to stay in. But there isn't. Sad." Getty Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Daniel Portman (REMAIN) Game of Thrones actor supports Reamin vote Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Elton John (REMAIN) The singer also announced his intention to vote Remain on Instagram, sharing an image which said “Build bridges not walls,” along with the caption “I'm voting to remain. #StrongerInEurope” Getty Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Roger Daltrey (LEAVE) Former frontman of iconic rock band The Who.” I am not anti European, but I an anti the present way we are being governed in Europe,” he wrote in The Mirror. “The whole system has been corrupted by political ego and massive government overreach. The Euro being a perfect example… I do not want to be dragged into the kind of Federal State that this present EU is pushing for - with the UK's voice getting smaller and smaller. AFP/Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? JK Rowling (REMAIN) The author of the Harry Potter books has expressed concern that "racists and bigots" are directing parts of the Leave campaign. She added: “How can a retreat into selfish and insecure individualism be the right response when Europe faces genuine threats, when the bonds that tie us are so powerful, when we have come so far together? How can we hope to conquer the enormous challenges of terrorism and climate change without cooperation and collaboration?” Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Vivienne Westwood (REMAIN) British fashion designer expressed her support for Remain vote Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Michael Caine (LEAVE) The actor has said he is a reluctant Leaver. He said: "I don't know what to vote for. Both are scary. To me, you've now got in Europe a sort of government-by-proxy of everybody, who has now got carried away. Unless there is some extremely significant changes, we should get out." Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Benedict Cumberbatch (REMAIN) Benedict Cumberbatch and Sir Patrick Stewart led more than 280 figures from the arts world who backed a vote to stay. An open letter pledging support for Remain was also signed by music stars Hot Chip, alt-J and Paloma Faith, authors Dame Hilary Mantel and John le Carre, and fashion designer Dame Vivienne Westwood. Daniel Craig was pictured wearing a vote Remain t-shirt with the words "No man is an island. No country by itself" emblazoned across it in a picture tweeted on the Stronger IN account. Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Patrick Stewart (REMAIN) Actor is a leading supporter of the Remain campaign Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Elizabeth Hurley (LEAVE) The actress said “If it means we can go back to using decent lightbulbs and choose high-powered hairdryers and vacuum cleaners if we so wish, I'm joining Brexit for sure.” Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Stephen Hawking (REMAIN) The physicist was in favour staying, and said "progress comes from co-operation". He said: "By working together in Europe we make our economy stronger and we give ourselves more influence in the world and we provide future opportunities for young people." Numerous scientists have also voiced their support for Remain, claiming an out vote would badly damage the field. Getty Images for Breakthrough Pr Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Sol Campbell (LEAVE) – The former England international football star said he is backing Brexit so that young British sporting talent would be nurtured and given greater opportunities at British clubs. He said: "I'm looking at the sporting side - how youngsters aren't getting the opportunities at some of the big clubs and some of the big clubs are bringing in youngsters from 14, 15, 16 and becoming homegrown, which is pushing some of our youngsters out." Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Hilary Mantel (REMAIN) Author Hilary Mantel announced her support for Remain vote Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Bear Grylls (REMAIN) The adventurer and TV presenter said he spoke "from the heart" in backing the EU. "At such a time for the UK to retreat, run and cut ourselves loose from Europe, when there are so many challenges on our doorstep, to me just doesn't feel either courageous or kind,” he said. “Europe has many flaws, but I also believe the way to help resolve many of those tough issues is from within... I have never been a good quitter and I am so proud of the UK and our values: tolerance, kindness, respect, courage and resilience. This is why I want us to stay together and Remain in Europe." Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Billy Bragg (REMAIN) British singer decided to support Remain campaign AFP/Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Ian Botham (LEAVE) The former England Test cricketer and Test team captain supports Brexit Getty/Laureus Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Simon Cowell (REMAIN) Music mogul Simon Cowell announced his support of staying in EU Getty Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? David James (LEAVE) The former England goalkeeper supports Brexit Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Idris Elba (REMAIN) The actor voiced his support for Remain vote Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? John Le Carre (REMAIN) British writer supports Remain campaign Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Paloma Faith (REMAIN) English singer supports Remain campaign Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Perry McCarthy (LEAVE) The racing driver supports Leave campaign Rex Features Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Keira Knightley (REMAIN) The actress intends to vote for Remain campaign Getty Images for Lincoln Center Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? James Cracknell (LEAVE) British athlete and rowing champion decided to vote for Brexit Getty Images Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Florence Welch (REMAIN) British singer supports Remain campaign Getty Images for Gucci Which celebrities support Brexit and which support Remain? Helena Bonham-Carter (REMAIN) The actress expressed her support for Remain vote AFP/Getty Images

Choosing between the European Central Bank in Frankfurt or the City of London is not a democratic choice and reflects how the In/Out question is really a debate taking place between competing factions in the establishment. Either way, we will continue to live in a society based on the principles of neoliberal economics.

We will see the siphoning of wealth to the top, financialisation of the economy with its damaging inflation of asset bubbles, privatisation of public services and austerity – all of which guarantees economic stagnation, frozen wages, increasing poverty and declining living standards. The In/Out question does not address how to improve the lives of ordinary people.

We have seen an orchestrated PR campaign designed to generate the desired outcome of staying in Europe. This manipulation of the electorate fits in with the concept of managed democracy. The establishment closes ranks when it needs to protect its interests. We’ve seen this time and again during the Scottish referendum, the 2015 general election, and in the smear campaigns targeting Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

In the previous decade, the Dutch and French voted against the treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The Irish voted against the Lisbon treaty and a second referendum was held resulting in a Yes vote.

Greece voted for an anti-austerity government Syriza. They also rejected the bail-out conditions in a referendum in 2015. In spite of all this, the Troika and the banks forced Syriza to accept even harsher conditions.

In other words, referenda are non-binding. They are merely for guidance. The establishment does not take them too seriously.

In the event of a Brexit vote, it is likely that Cameron will be allowed to return to the table in Brussels and gain concessions until the ‘correct’ outcome is obtained. The Brexit process itself would entail several years of painstaking trade negotiations and other adjustments. It is likely that this process would lead to a second referendum.

The EU project is a corporate superstructure. As far as the establishment is concerned, there is simply too much at stake.