Britain chooses Brexit
On 23 June 2016, voters across the United Kingdom backed leaving the European Union in the Brexit referendum, marking a historic turning point in British and European politics.
The referendum resulted in 51.9% voting to leave the EU, while 48.1% voted to remain, with more than 33 million people taking part in the nationwide vote.
Although the referendum was not legally binding, the result led the UK government to begin the process of withdrawing from the European Union, ending more than four decades of membership.
Political shockwaves
The outcome prompted then Prime Minister David Cameron, who had campaigned to remain in the EU, to announce his resignation the following day.
His successor, Theresa May, formally triggered Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union in March 2017, beginning negotiations over the UK’s withdrawal.
After years of political debate, parliamentary deadlock and multiple extensions, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020. A transition period followed until 31 December 2020, when new trading and cooperation arrangements came into force.
A vote that reshaped Europe
The Brexit referendum remains one of the most consequential political events in recent British history. It reshaped UK politics, influenced debates on immigration, trade and national sovereignty, and altered the country’s relationship with its European neighbours.
Its effects continue to shape domestic politics, economic policy and UK-EU relations nearly a decade after voters went to the polls.
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