Brexit – timeline of events

January 2013

It’s hard to believe, but it has been nearly six years since the initial announcement from the then Prime Minister, David Cameron, of his support for holding a referendum of the UK’s membership of the EU.

23 June 2016

In June 2016, the UK referendum was held and the results announced – A narrow victory for the ‘Brexit’ campaign of 51.9% against / 48.1% remain led to the beginning of a new future for the UK.

13 July 2016

Immediately following the referendum David Cameron announced his resignation. In mid-July Theresa May took over the reins of PM.

29 March 2017

Article 50 is triggered, marking the beginning of the process for the UK leaving the EU.

In the interim

Months of work have thus far led to provisional agreements having been made between the UK and EU on financial payments due to the EU, and ex-pat citizens living in the respective nations.

It has also been agreed that, following ‘Brexit’ there will be a 21 month ‘transition period’ to assist in a smooth parting.

23 August 2018

With very little word available to the wider public as to the content of the UK plan, on the 23 August the Government published a series of notices setting out further detail on what could be the outcome should the UK leave the EU without a deal, with the intention of enabling businesses to make preparations. These notices have led to much speculation that the UK will not reach a deal with the EU.

17 October 2018

Following a summit of EU leaders in Brussels, Prime Minister Theresa May hinted that the UK could extend the Brexit transition period to allow for more time for talks.

15 January 2019

The UK Government plan as to how it foresees relations developing beyond ‘Brexit’ were rejected overwhelmingly in the Meaningful vote by 432 votes to 202 (a majority of 230), which was the biggest defeat for a government motion since 1918.

16 January 2019

Following the defat of the Government in the Meaningful Vote, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn promptly tabled a “vote of no confidence.” The government won the vote by 325 to 306 – a margin of 19.

21 January 2019

PM Teresa May tabled her ‘Plan B’ – Said to be almost indifferent from her ‘plan A’

29 January 2019

Theresa May is expected to continue talks with the EU after MPs backed a plan to renegotiate her Brexit deal.

MPs voted 317 to 301 in favour of changing the backstop plan – the bit of the deal designed to avoid the return of Northern Ireland border checks.

26 February 2019

PM Theresa May promises MP’s a meaningful vote on her Brexit deal by 12 March 2019.

12 March 2019

Theresa May took her revised plan for Brexit to Parliament for a second Meaningful Vote. The plan was once again rejected by MP’s, this time by a majority of 149 (rejected by 391 votes against compared to 242 votes for).

13 March 2019

MPs rejected the UK leaving the EU without a deal by 321 to 278 votes. MPs will now vote on delaying leaving the EU.

14 March 2019

MP’s vote 413 to 202 on requesting an extension to the Article 50 negotiation process, delaying EU withdrawl beyond 29 March.

20 March 2019

Theres May has written to EU members to seek a 3 month extension, delaying the EU withdrawl date to 30 June 2019.

21 March 2019

EU leaders offered a delay to the Brexit process. The UK is now set to leave the EU on 22 May 2019 if MP’s agree to Theresa May’s deal next week. If MP’s do not approve the deal, then the UK is set to leave the EU on 12 April 2019 without a deal, or announce the next steps.

27 March 2019

MP’s held a series of 8 ‘indicative votes’ – None of which succeeded to achieve a majority.

29 March 2019

Theresa May’s EU withdrawal agreement was brought back to the commons for a third time. The government lost the vote by 344 to 286, a margin of 58, meaning the UK has missed an EU deadline to delay Brexit to 22 May and leave with a deal.

1 April 2019

MPs again voted on a series of alternative options for Brexit but failed to reach a majority on the four options tabled:

MPs rejected proposal on a customs union by 273 votes to 276
MPs rejected option on a common market 2.0 by 261 votes to 282
MPs rejected options on a second referendum by 280 votes to 292
MPs rejected motion on a no-deal Brexit by 191 votes to 292

11 April 2019

European Union leaders have granted the UK a six-month extension to Brexit, after five hours of talks in Brussels.

The new deadline is now the 31 October 2019, although the UK can leave before then if MPs pass the withdrawal deal.