BRITAIN goes to the polls today to make what is being hailed as the most important decision in a generation.

Millions of voters will finally get to have their say on whether we should stay in the European Union or become the first member state to break away and go it alone.

Both sides in the debate agree that the outcome of the referendum will shape the nation’s future for decades to come.

Brexit supporters claim Britain is being held back by the EU which, they say, is imposing too many rules on the UK as well as fuelling immigration and taking £350 million out of the economy every week.

But Remain campaigners say Britain is more secure as a result of being part of the 28-nation club.

They also insist that the flow of immigrants, many of whom are described as young and keen to work, boosts the economy and helps pay for public services.

With both sides neck and neck in the polls, key campaigners in the debate spent yesterday criss-crossing the UK in a last-minute scrabble for votes.

Top politicians urged everyone to take part in the referendum, describing it as a critical moment in the nation’s history.

Government minister Michael Gove, who chairs the Vote Leave campaign, visited Southampton yesterday as part of a whistle stop tour of Hampshire and Dorset.

Mr Gove claimed that the result would be decided on the south coast, describing Southampton, Portsmouth and Bournemouth as a microcosm of the UK.

Most of the shoppers and traders he spoke to said they would be voting in favour of Britain leaving the EU.

Mr Gove called for a high turnout, describing the referendum as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to “take back control” of Britain and put power into the hands of people who could be removed from office if they failed to achieve what was needed.

Accompanied by Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt, the justice secretary claimed to be optimistic but admitted that the result was too close to call.

“People are split down the middle and every vote will count,” he said.

Meanwhile Hampshire businesses were among 1,200 businesses who signed an open letter backing the remain campaign.

Niamh Barker, founder of the Travelwrap Company in New Milton was one who said she had never felt so strongly about an issue. The former pharmacist accused both sides of the debate of pedalling misinformation but said that the Brexit side were guilty of telling lies about Turkey entering the EU and promoting xenophobia over the migration issue.

She said: “A lot of people are voting with their emotions and not their heads and that’s not the right decision-making process when it comes to an issue which all our kids’ futures depend upon. To become a little island on our own is such a backward step.

"It’s our EU. We should be in there helping it to evolve. It will have to reform and this will shake it up.”

The award-winning firm, which makes cashmere wraps, exports all over the world including to Europe.

“There’s always going to be red tape whether we are in the EU or not,” said Niamh.

Other signatories to the letter included Bruce Hemphill the CEO of the Old Mutual Group, which employs more than 1,000 staff at its two offices in Southampton city centre and, David Atkinson, CEO of Hammersons, which owns WestQuay shopping centre, and David Stokes, CEO of IBM UK which has offices at Hursley, and Dr Chris Emslie, of fibre optics firm Fibercore in Chilworth.

Others who made an 11th-hour plea to voters included fellow Brexit campaigner Sir Desmond Swayne, Tory MP for New Forest West.

He said: “We are increasingly governed by people whom we do not elect and whom we cannot remove.

“Outside the EU we will be more prosperous. Our trade is predominantly with the rest of the world while the EU discourages trade outside Fortress Europe, which has been crumbling for years. It is time to take back control of our country.”

But Remain supporter Dr Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said the single market economy had boosted Britain’s prosperity over the past few decades.

Urging everyone to use their vote he added: “What’s really important is that we get a clear outcome.

“It’s not like other elections, where if you don’t like the result you get to have another go a few years later. The referendum result will stand for the next 30-40 years. It’s absolutely imperative that we make the right decision now.”

Caroline Nokes, Tory MP for Romsey and Southampton North, has also come out in favour of staying in the EU. Claiming a vote to leave the Union would represent a leap into the unknown she said: “Within the single market our economic prosperity is more of a certainty.”

Last night Southampton City Council urged voters to plan ahead and make sure they visited their local polling station in time.

Mark Heath, counting officer for the city, said people should arrive well before the polls closed at 10pm as anyone who turns up after the deadline will not be allowed to vote.

He added: “We’re expecting a high turnout so I encourage Southampton residents to take a few minutes to plan what time they will arrive.

“Polling stations are open from 7am until 10pm. The busiest times are usually in the late afternoon, when parents come with their children after school, and early evening when people come to vote after work.

“Voters who are able to be flexible, may want to avoid these peak times.”

Saints legend Lawrie McMenemy made a similar plea, without revealing which way he intended to vote.

He said: “Voting is taken for granted now but people have battled to get a vote and a voice. It’s a privilege to be able to have a voice so why waste it? You can’t complain about anything if you haven’t actually voted.”

Celebs supporting Brexit: Sir Michael Caine Katie Hopkins Sir Ian Botham Elizabeth Hurley Bernie Ecclestone Sir Julian Fellowes (creator of Downton Abbey) David Icke Keith Chegwin Sol Campbell Roger Daltrey Celebs supporting Remain: David Beckham Benedict Cumberbatch Helena Bonham Carter Keira Knightley Simon Cowell Jeremy Clarkson Eddie Izzard Vivienne Westwood Alan Sugar Richard Branson