<human>:  Why did the UK vote to leave the EU?
<bot>: The UK voted to leave the EU in a referendum held on June 23rd, 2016. The vote was 52.1% in favour of leaving, and 47.9% against. The UK’s decision to leave the EU was based on a number of factors, including the UK’s desire to control its own borders, the UK’s desire to reduce its dependence on the EU, and the UK’s desire to reduce its contribution to the EU budget.