Brexit Key Events Timeline 2013-2020

Prime Minister David Cameron made a speech promising the people of the United Kingdom a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union if his Conservative Party won the next General Election.

The Conservative Party won a majority of the votes in the General Election which meant they were committed to holding a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union.

The European Union Referendum Act was passed by Parliament. This legally allowed a Referendum to be held and stipulated that it should take place before 31st December 2017.

David Cameron tried to renegotiate the UK’s terms of membership of the European Union in the hopes that the people of Britain would look more favourably on the European Union but concessions were very limited.

The Electoral Commission declared that ‘Vote Leave’, a group that had been founded in October 2015, was to be the official campaign group to leave the EU. ‘Britain Stronger in Europe’ also founded in October 2015, was to be the official campaign group to remain in the EU. Other unofficial groups were also founded.

A referendum was held with the question ‘Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?’ The two possible answers were ‘Remain a member of the European Union’ and ‘Leave the European Union’. The results were announced in the early hours of 24th June. The UK had voted to leave by 51.9% (17,410,742 votes) to 48.1% (16,141,241 votes).

David Cameron, as a champion of Britain remaining in the EU, announced that he would step down as Prime Minister by October 2016 at the latest.

An EU unit was established in Whitehall to deal with Britain’s exit from the European Union (Brexit).

The European Council President, Donald Tusk, announced that the United Kingdom would only be able to remain in the Single Market if it accepted freedom of movement for goods, money, services and labour.

Theresa May became Prime Minister of Britain after winning a Conservative Party leadership election and David Cameron stood down.

David Davis was appointed Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.

Theresa May announced that the terms of the Brexit agreement had to include an end to EU law and freedom of movement of people.

Theresa May suggested that Britain and the other EU countries should mutually guarantee the rights of those EU and British citizens living in other countries. Although many countries agreed the proposition was blocked by Donald Tusk and Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany.

The United Kingdom Supreme Court ruled that the government could not invoke Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union without an Act of Parliament being passed allowing them to do so.

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill was put before parliament.

The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill was passed by parliament.

Theresa May invoked Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union which officially notified the European Union that Britain would be leaving the EU in two years.

The heads of the 27 member states of the EU agreed terms for the negotiation of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU. It also agreed that the UK would pay ‘divorce bill’. In the event of no deal with the EU the UK would pay nothing.

Theresa May called a snap General Election. She hoped to increase her majority in the House of Commons and thereby strengthen her position for Brexit negotiations. However, she did not win a clear majority and had to make an alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party to form a government.

Brexit Secretary, David Davis, went to Brussels to begin negotiations with the EU.

British Prime Minister, Theresa May, stated that no EU citizen legally living in the UK would be forced to leave the country. Furthermore any EU citizen who had lived in the UK for more than 5 years would have the same rights as UK citizens on condition that other EU countries provided the same rights to UK citizens living in EU countries. However, the UK did not receive any guarantee from the EU.

Negotiations with the EU continued but little was achieved.

The Conservative government published papers setting out what Britain wanted from Brexit. The papers included proposed trade and customs arrangements.

Another round of negotiations with the EU began but there was no agreement on the financial settlement.

Brexit Secretary, David Davis, announced that some progress in negotiations had been made particularly with regard to British expats living in EU countries. However no progress had been made over the ‘divorce bill’.

The EU Commission decreed that it was the UK’s responsibility to suggest options for the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Brexit negotiations continued but the EU and some member country leaders wanted negotiations blocked until the UK agreed a financial settlement and details of the Irish border.

EU negotiators stated that an agreement had to be reached by October 2018 in order for there to be time for individual countries to ratify Brexit by 29th March 2019.

Brexit Secretary, David Davis, announced that negotiations with the EU were proving difficult.

Steve Baker, a minister in the Department for Exiting the European Union, apologised after making an incorrect claim that civil servants had produced poor economic forecasts in order to influence policy.

The Electoral Commission found unofficial leave campaign group, ‘LeaveEU’ guilty of spending in excess of its limit during the campaign prior to the 2016 referendum.

The Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, agreed to postpone settlement of the Irish border until October 2018.

It was announced by negotiators that progress had been made on customs, VAT and the European nuclear agreement.

Chequers Plan
The Cabinet reached an agreement on the type of deal that they were seeking with the European Union.

Brexit Secretary, David Davis, resigned his position stating that he was not happy with the Prime Minister’s plan for Brexit. Steve Baker, a junior minister, also resigned. Davis was replaced by Dominic Raab.

Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, resigned his position over the Chequers Plan.

Chequers Plan
This blueprint for a future relationship with the European Union was published.

Junior Minister Steve Baker posted a letter of no confidence in Theresa May’s leadership of the Conservative Party.

A meeting of the Cabinet agreed a Draft Withdrawal Agreement.

Brexit Secretary, Dominic Raab, Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey and a number of junior ministers resigned their posts to register their disagreement with the Withdrawal Agreement.

Theresa May concluded Brexit negotiations with the EU and the Draft Withdrawal Agrement and Outline Political Declaration was published. She announced that the deal would be put to the House of Commons in December for a meaningful vote.

It was ruled that the government was in contempt of parliament for refusing to publish the full legal advice it had been given on the withdraw agreement.

The government published the full legal advice it had been given on the withdraw agreement. The key point in the legal advice concerned the ‘backstop’ agreement (an agreement that the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland would remain open) and how it would affect the United Kingdom. Under the ‘backstop’ agreement if there were no formal trade agreement between the UK and the EU, Northern Ireland would remain under EU jurisdiction and stay in the customs union. This would lead to a customs border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Theresa May has argued that the ‘backstop’ could apply to the whole UK but this is not favoured by the EU and has angered many MPs. Furthermore, the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 which ended conflict in Northern Ireland states that the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will remain open.’ The backstop therefore would be in contravention to this treaty and could end the peace in Northern Ireland.

Knowing that she would be defeated in parliament, Theresa May decided to postpone the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement. She stated that it would take place by January 21st.

The European Court of Justice ruled that a country could cancel its withdrawal from the EU provided it was done prior to departure.

It was announced that at least 48 MPs had written letters to the Chairman of the 1922 Committee stating they had no confidence in Theresa May as leader of the Conservative Party. This triggered a vote on Theresa May’s leadership. A secret ballot of all Conservative MPs was held and May won 200 of the possible 317 votes.

Theresa May announced that she would not fight another election as Conservative Party leader. She then returned to Brussels to try to gain further clarification from the EU. The EU stated that there could be no renegotiation of the terms of Brexit.

The government announced that it had increased resources for planning for a no-deal Brexit.

The EU revealed that it had begun to put plans in place in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The House of Commons passed a motion tabled by Labour MP Yvette Cooper to stop ministers from introducing new tax rises if there is a no-deal Brexit unless MPs have specifically voted for that no deal Brexit.

It was announced that the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement, postponed from December, would be held on 15th January 2019.

MP Dominic Grieve requested that a motion be added to the business of the house stating that if Theresa May loses the vote on her Brexit plan on 15th January then she would have to report a Plan B to the house of parliament in 3 working days. Despite being advised not to allow the motion to be voted on, the Speaker of the Commons allowed it to go ahead and it was passed by 11 votes.

Theresa May lost the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement by 432 votes to 202 votes. The defeat was the largest in the history of the British government. Following the defeat Labour leader, Jeremy Corbin, tabled a vote of no confidence in the government.

Theresa May and the Conservative government survived the vote of no confidence by 325 votes to 306. After winning the vote Theresa May stated she would hold talks with party leaders to try to find a way forward.

Members of Parliament voted on a number of amendments to the Brexit deal:
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s amendment to rule out a ‘No Deal’ and allow for parliament to discuss a new Brexit deal keeping a permanent customs union and remaining in the single market and/or the option of a public vote on the deal was rejected by 327 votes to 296
Ian Blackford’s amendment that ruled out a ‘No Deal’ and called for an extension of Article 50 was rejected by 327 to 39 votes.
Dominic Grieve’s amendment for MPs to discuss alternatives to Theresa May’s plan was rejected by 321 to 301 votes.
Yvette Cooper’s amendment to prevent a ‘No Deal’ Brexit by extending the day Britain would leave the EU to 31st December 2019 was rejected by 321 to 298 votes.
Rachel Reeves’ amendment to postpone Brexit indefinitely was rejected by 322 to 290 votes
Caroline Spelman and Jack Dromey’s amendment to prevent a ‘No Deal’ Brexit was passed by 318 to 310 votes but the vote was non-binding on the government.
Graham Brady’s amendment to require the backstop to be replaced with an alternative that avoids a hard border was passed by 317 to 301 votes but the vote was non-binding on the government.
Theresa May agreed to go back to Europe and try to renegotiate the Northern Ireland backstop.

Theresa May flew to Dublin for talks with the Irish Prime Minister over the Irish backstop question. She rejected any move to remove the backstop.

EU President Donald Tusk caused controversy when he said there was a “special place in hell” for “those who promoted Brexit without even a sketch of a plan of how to carry it out safely”.

Prime Minister, Theresa May, flew to Brussels to meet with EU leaders but was told again that negotiations would not be re-opened.

Jeremy Corbyn wrote a letter to Theresa May saying that Labour would only support a deal if it included a customs union and Britain remaining in the single market with the EU.

Theresa May replied to Jeremy Corbyn’s letter rejecting his terms for an agreement.

The House of Commons voted on a number of motions and amendments to the Brexit agreement:
A vote to support the government’s approach to negotiations with the EU was defeated by 303 votes to 259.
A Labour amendment to require a vote on the withdrawal agreement by 27th February was defeated by 16 votes with 306 voting for the amendment and 322 against.
An amendment by the Scottish National Party (SNP) to postpone Brexit by at least 3 months was defeated by 315 votes to 93.

Seven Labour MPs resigned from the Labour Party and formed the Independent Group. The Labour Party’s handling of Brexit was one of the reasons for their defection.

Three Conservative MPs resigned and joined the Independent Group.

Theresa May announced that the vote on the Withdrawal Agreement would be held on 12th March.

Prime Minister Theresa May stated that if her Brexit Deal was rejected by the House of Commons then two votes would follow. One on whether or not to accept a No Deal Brexit and if that failed a vote for a three-month extension Article 50.

Jeremy Corbyn’s Brexit proposal for the UK to join an EU customs union was defeated by 323 to 240 votes. Following the defeat Corbyn announced that Labour would support a public vote if Theresa May’s Brexit deal was defeated again.

The Spanish government approved a measure to give Britons living in Spain residency rights.

After having secured a small change to her deal regarding the backstop, the House of Commons again voted on the Brexit Deal. Members of Parliament voted against Theresa May’s deal by 391 to 242 votes.

Members of Parliament voted to rule out a No Deal scenario by 321 to 278 votes.

Members of Parliament voted to extend Article 50 by 413 to 202 votes. Following the vote Theresa May stated that if her deal was agreed next week then she would request an extension to June 30th. But if her deal was not agreed to then she would request a longer extension. All 27 member states of the EU would have to agree to the extension.

A vote to hold a second Brexit Referendum was held – 334 MPs voted against, 223 abstained and 85 voted for. A cross-party move to allow MPs to take control of Brexit was narrowly defeated by two votes.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, told Theresa May that he would not allow a third vote on her Brexit Deal unless it was significantly changed.

It was announced that Theresa May will formally ask the EU for Brexit to be postponed.

The EU allowed Brexit to be extended until 22nd May on condition that MPs voted to approve Theresa May’s Brexit Deal. The EU stated that if the deal was not approved then they would give the UK until 12th April to consider alternatives. If the UK wanted to delay Brexit beyond 12th April then the country would need to hold European elections in May.

Members of Parliament voted in favour of a motion to take control of Brexit from the government. Three junior ministers resigned their posts in order to vote against the government.

Theresa May told parliament that she would step down as Prime Minister if her Brexit deal was voted through.

Members of Parliament voted against Theresa May’s Brexit deal by 344 votes to 286.

The government voted on four options:
A motion by Kenneth Clark to create a customs union with the EU was defeated by 276 to 273 votes.
A motion by Nick Boles to seek a Norway-style agreement with the EU was defeated with 261 to 282 votes.
A motion by Peter Kyle to put the decision of Brexit to the people was rejected by 280 to 292 votes.
A motion by Joanna Cherry for the government to take control of Brexit was defeated by 191 to 292 votes.

After holding 7 hours of talks with ministers, Theresa May stated that she would ask the EU for an exit delay extension.

Two government ministers resigned over the fact that Theresa May had held talks with opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn, to try to find a way forward.

In parliament an attempt by ministers to take control of parliament on Monday 8th April in order to vote on new options for Brexit was rejected. The vote had been tied at 310 for each side but the Speaker cast a deciding vote with the government.
A Cooper-Boles motion to reject a no-deal Brexit was passed by 312 to 311 votes.

Theresa May managed to secure a further extension of Brexit for as long as necessary but only until October 31st. This decision meant that the UK had to participate in EU elections in May.

Nigel Farage announced his new Brexit Party would be fielding 70 candidates in the EU elections.

Local election results showed huge losses for the Conservatives (1,300 seats). Labour also lost around 60 seats. Voter frustration over Brexit was stated as the reason for the losses.

It was announced that cross-party talks to find a way forward had failed.

After failing to get support from her own party for her Brexit deal, Theresa May announced that she would stand down as Prime Minister on 7th June.

The results of the European elections were announced. The Brexit Party won with a clear majority securing 31.6% of the vote. The Liberal Democrats came second with 20.3%, the Labour Party had 14.1% and the Green Party 12.9%. The Conservative Party came 5th with just 9% of the vote.

Boris Johnson was elected leader of the Conservative Party and took over as Prime Minister. He vowed to take the UK out of the EU on October 31st with or without a deal.

Johnson announced that he was going to prorogue parliament until 14th October to give him time to put forward his agenda for the new parliamentary session. Queen Elizabeth II gave her approval to his request. However, many people believed that the move by Johnson was to stop parliament blocking the UK’s exit from the EU on 31st October.

Boris Johnson lost his majority in the House of Commons after MP Phillip Lee defected to the Liberal Democrats.

A motion to take control of House of Commons’ business on 4th September and debate a bill to block a no deal was passed by 328 to 301.

The House of Commons voted to remove the possibility of a no deal Brexit by 327 to 299 votes. The bill now has to pass the House of Lords.

Prime Minister, Boris Johnson called for a vote to overturn the fixed parliament bill and hold a General Election on 15th October. The Labour party abstained from the vote meaning that Johnson was unable to secure 2/3 of the vote needed to facilitate an election.

After a heated debate, the government was defeated for a second time on a vote to hold a General Election. At the end of proceedings Parliament was prorogued for 5 weeks.

The Supreme Court ruled that the prorogation of Parliament was illegal.

MPs returned to the House of Commons.

Boris Johnson announced new plans regarding the Irish backstop. His new proposals include a customs border for business and commercial vehicles, while ordinary people would be able to use the border freely.

It was ruled by the courts that if Boris Johnson does not get a deal through the House of Commons by 19th October then, by law, he must ask the EU for an extension.

Boris Johnson negotiated a new deal with the EU. The deal was a modified version of Theresa May’s earlier deal but with an altered solution to the Irish Backstop. Under this new deal there would be a customs border through the Irish sea and goods entering either Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland would be subject to customs duty. If goods remain in Northern Ireland then customs duty could be claimed back.

Parliament sat on a Saturday for the first time since 1982 to debate and vote on Boris Johnson’s deal. Thousands of protesters surrounded Parliament, some demanding a second referendum, some demanding a people’s vote on the deal and others demanding Britain stay in the EU.

MPs voted in favour of the Letwin amendment which sought to withhold agreement of Boris Johnson’s deal until the EU Withdrawal Bill had been agreed thus ensuring the government upheld Johnson’s deal if passed by 322 to 306 votes. The amendment indicated that this required an extension be requested.

Following the passing of the Letwin amendment, Boris Johnson announced that a vote would be held in the coming week to pass the EU Withdrawal Bill. Johnson reluctantly requested a further extension from the EU.

The British government passed the EU Withdrawal Bill by 322 votes to 308. However, they voted against Boris Johnson’s proposed 3 day timetable stating that more time was needed to scrutinise his deal.

Boris Johnson called for parliament to grant an election on 12th December. A vote will be held next week.

The EU agreed an Brexit extension until 31st January but added a clause that meant the UK could leave at any point within that period.

A vote was held to hold a General Election on 12th December. Although 299 votes were for and 70 against, most labour MPs abstained meaning that Johnson did not get the votes of 2/3 of the house (434 votes).

A single motion vote to hold a General Election on 12th December was approved by the government.

A General Election was held which saw the Conservatives win 364 of the 650 seats in Parliament, giving them a clear majority in Parliament.

Members of Parliament voted by 358 to 234 votes to back Boris Johnson’s Brexit bill. This set the date of Britain’s exit from the EU to 31st January 2020.

At 11 pm GMT the UK officially left the EU. The UK flag was taken down from outside the EU building in Brussels. In the UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke to the people saying it was a new beginning. In Scotland there were calls for a second independence referendum.

The UK and the EU began trade negotiations but progress was hampered by the Coronavirus and lockdown restrictions.

An agreement on Trade was finally agreed with the European Union.

Parliament voted to accept the trade deal by 521 votes to 73.