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2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

@2016unitedkingdomeuropeanunionmembershipreferendum

Explore the key events of the 2016 UK EU membership referendum. Discover the timeline of decisions, debates, and outcomes that shaped Brexit.

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31January
2020
31 Jan 2020

United Kingdom Officially Leaves the EU

On January 31, 2020, the United Kingdom officially left the European Union, ending 47 years of membership. This marked the culmination of the Brexit process that began with the 2016 referendum. The UK entered a transition period during which it continued to follow EU rules while negotiating a future relationship with the EU.

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15January
2019
15 Jan 2019

Parliament Rejects Brexit Deal

On January 15, 2019, the UK Parliament voted against Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal by a significant margin. The rejection of the deal, which outlined the terms of the UK's departure from the EU, led to political turmoil and uncertainty about the future of Brexit. This was one of several key votes that shaped the Brexit process.

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29March
2017
29 Mar 2017

Article 50 Triggered

On March 29, 2017, Prime Minister Theresa May formally triggered Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union, initiating the legal process for the UK's withdrawal from the EU. This action started a two-year countdown to Brexit, during which the UK and EU would negotiate the terms of the separation. It marked a historic moment in UK-EU relations.

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13July
2016
13 Jul 2016

Theresa May Becomes Prime Minister

On July 13, 2016, Theresa May became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom following David Cameron's resignation. As the leader of the Conservative Party, May was tasked with navigating the complex process of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. Her leadership marked the beginning of a challenging period of negotiations and political uncertainty.

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24June
2016
24 Jun 2016

Referendum Results Announced

On June 24, 2016, the results of the EU referendum were announced, revealing that 51.9% of voters had chosen to leave the European Union. This decision, commonly referred to as 'Brexit', led to significant political and economic repercussions both within the UK and globally. The result prompted Prime Minister David Cameron to announce his resignation.

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23June
2016
23 Jun 2016

EU Referendum Voting Day

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum to decide whether to remain in or leave the European Union. The referendum saw a high voter turnout of 72.2%, with millions of UK citizens casting their votes. The campaign was marked by intense debate over issues such as sovereignty, immigration, and economic impact.

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16June
2016
16 Jun 2016

Jo Cox Murdered

On June 16, 2016, Labour MP Jo Cox was tragically murdered in Birstall, West Yorkshire. Her murder shocked the nation and temporarily halted campaigning for the EU referendum. Cox was a vocal advocate for the UK remaining in the EU, and her death brought attention to the heated and divisive nature of the referendum debate.

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20February
2016
20 Feb 2016

Cameron Announces Referendum Date

On February 20, 2016, Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the referendum on the UK's membership in the European Union would be held on June 23, 2016. This announcement followed negotiations with EU leaders, resulting in a deal intended to address UK concerns about EU membership. Cameron began campaigning for the UK to remain in the EU.

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07May
2015
07 May 2015

Conservative Party Wins General Election

On May 7, 2015, the Conservative Party, led by David Cameron, won the UK general election with a majority. This victory solidified Cameron's mandate to hold the EU membership referendum, as it was a key promise in the Conservative Party's manifesto. The election results set the stage for the upcoming negotiations with the EU.

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23January
2013
23 Jan 2013

David Cameron Announces EU Referendum

On January 23, 2013, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a referendum would be held on the United Kingdom's membership in the European Union. This decision was influenced by growing Euroscepticism within the UK and pressure from the Conservative Party. Cameron promised to renegotiate the terms of the UK's EU membership and then hold a public vote.

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Frequently asked questions about 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

Discover commonly asked questions regarding 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum. If there are any questions we may have overlooked, please let us know.

What were the main arguments for and against leaving the EU?

What was the outcome of the referendum and its immediate impact?

What was the purpose of the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum?

How has the Brexit referendum shaped UK politics since 2016?