The Big Issue essay

The Big Issue has used an intertextual reference in its approach to the referendum on its front cover to create a comedic effect to the political issue of the time.

The cover features Nicola Sturgeon, David Cameron, Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage intertextually referenced to the Swedish pop group, ABBA. They are each dressed in the zeitgeist clothes of the ABBA members in the 70s and have speech bubbles with reference to ABBA's songs and their beliefs. Their position on the front cover connotes their political stance as Farrage is on the far-right side of the paper and Sturgeon is on the left. Nicola Sturgeon (current First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party) is shown with the subtitle 'Breaking up is never easy, I know' which obviously references the ABBA song 'Knowing me knowing you' but also has reference to Sturgeon, as the First Minister of Scotland, attempting to leave the UK and get independence. David Cameron (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2016 and Leader of the Conservative Party from 2005 to 2016) is shown with the subtitle 'knowing me knowing EU' with reference to the same song as Sturgeon but with the pun of 'EU' rather than 'you'. Boris Johnson (British politician, popular historian and journalist) is shown with the subtitle 'This time we're through' in reference again to 'Knowing me knowing you' and also to leaving the EU. This references the want to stay in the EU. Finally, Nigel Farage (British politician, broadcaster and political analyst who was the leader of the UK Independence Party from 2006 to 2009 and again from 2010 to 2016) is shown with the subtitle 'Take a chan-chance' from the song 'Take a chance on me' which has reference to him being leader of UKIP and wanting to push Brexit due to the party's beliefs. His expression is rather crazed which presents Farage in a negative and maniacal light. 

A poll card and box is shown in the background of the cover relating to the voting to leave or stay in the EU. The disco ball in the background has the globe design on it so has reference to the 70s disco era and the separation of Britain and the EU.It suggests that the vote has become a farce and is therefore presented as 'light hearted'. The fact that the disco ball is in the style of Earth suggests that the vote has a global effect.
The heading on the front page is also an ABBA song 'The winner takes it all' which not only references ABBA but also the fact that they won Eurovision for Sweden which led to their fame. This creates a farcical element to the referendum. 

Overall the Big Issue presents the Brexit referendum as a farce, similar to the Eurovision song contest. It illustrates the globalisation of the vote and explores each individual politician, emphasising some of the flaws in their opinions by using the comical song references.