Evolving Brexit story

The final action in Brexit is proving complex, and will extract costs on all sides.

Evolving Brexit story

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The first steps: On January 23, 2013, British Prime Minister David Cameron promised a referendum on British membership to the EU, subject to the Conservative party being elected to power. In May 2015, British voters elect a majority Conservative government.

Those who are new to this topic, can read more Bodhi Saars on Brexit here

Referendum on Brexit: The date for the referendum was fixed for June 23, 2016, when Britain voted 52 percent to 48 percent in favour of leaving EU. Prime Minister Cameron decides to resign in view of the result because Britain needed "fresh leadership" to take the country in a new direction.

A new PM: Home Secretary Theresa May was elected as Prime Minister on July 11 following the withdrawal of her competitors. She announced that Britain would begin the formal process of leaving the EU by the end of March 2017. In order to do this the British government would have to invoke Article 50 of the EU's Lisbon Treaty. British Supreme Court rules that parliamentary approval is needed before Article 50 can be triggered by government.

Bye, bye Europe 1: The British Parliament, on March 13, 2017 approved a bill giving the government the authority to invoke Article 50. Scotland's first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, says she plans to have a second referendum on Scottish independence in late 2018 or early 2019.

Bye, bye Europe 2: On March 28, 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May signed the historic letter that would trigger Brexit. That brings to an end a long history of Europe trying to remain integrated and avoid any of the fratricidal conflicts that have defined it for much of past centuries.

Mr.President, we are leaving: The letter was delivered to EU President Donald Tusk on March 29, 2017 formally informing him of Britain’s intention to leave the bloc ending UK’s 44 years of membership. Donald Tusk accepted the request, ending British membership of EU. Meanwhile, Scottish lawmakers voted to seek a new referendum on independence.

Deep Dive : Read many Bodhis on world politics here, and many Bodhi Saars on Brexit here. Download PDFs on the issue here (go to world politics tab).

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