On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom made a historic vote to leave the European Union. This move, commonly known as Brexit, sent shockwaves through the country and the world, as the UK became the first member state to ever leave the EU. Nearly four years later, on January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the EU and entered a transition period to negotiate new terms with its former partners. As the dust settles and the country adjusts to its new reality, National Geographic explores the events leading up to the Brexit vote and its aftermath.
The Roots of Brexit
The UK’s relationship with the EU has been a contentious issue for decades. The country joined the then-European Economic Community (EEC) in 1973, but has often been seen as a reluctant member. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the UK opted out of several key EU initiatives, such as the euro currency and the Schengen Agreement.
In recent years, the EU has faced increasing criticism from some quarters, with issues such as immigration, national sovereignty, and economic hardship fueling calls for change. The refugee crisis of 2015, in which over one million migrants and refugees entered Europe, further strained the bloc and intensified anti-EU sentiment in the UK.
In response to these challenges, the UK government, led by then-Prime Minister David Cameron, agreed to hold a referendum on the country’s EU membership. The vote was scheduled for June 23, 2016, with the question: “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”
The Vote for Brexit
The Brexit vote was one of the most closely watched events in recent political history, with both the Remain and Leave campaigns launching extensive campaigns to sway the public. The debate was heated and at times divisive, with concerns about immigration and the economy taking center stage.
In the end, the Leave campaign won by a narrow margin, with 51.9% of voters opting to leave the EU. The result came as a shock to many, including then-Prime Minister Cameron, who resigned shortly after the vote.
The Aftermath of the Vote
The Brexit vote sent shockwaves through the UK and the EU, and the country has been in a state of uncertainty ever since. The task of negotiating the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU was handed to Cameron’s successor, Theresa May, who was tasked with securing a deal that would protect the country’s economic and political interests.
However, the process was far from smooth. May’s proposed deal was rejected by the UK Parliament three times, leading to her resignation. Her successor, Boris Johnson, was able to secure a new deal with the EU, but it was only after a prolonged and often acrimonious negotiation process.
The withdrawal agreement was finally approved by the UK Parliament in January 2020, and the UK officially left the EU on January 31 of that year. The country is now in a transition period, during which it is negotiating a new trade deal with the EU.
The Impact of Brexit on the UK and the EU
The Brexit vote and subsequent withdrawal from the EU have had a profound impact on both the UK and the EU. In the UK, the vote has been seen as a triumph for national sovereignty and a rejection of the EU’s perceived bureaucratic and undemocratic ways. It has also been seen as a sign of the country’s willingness to chart its own course and carve out a new role for itself on the world stage.
However, the vote has also had its downsides. The UK is now facing a host of economic, political, and social challenges as it tries to find its footing outside of the EU. One of the biggest challenges has been the Northern Ireland border, which has long been a sensitive issue. The withdrawal agreement includes a “backstop” to ensure that there is no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, but this has been met with opposition from some quarters.
n addition to the Northern Ireland border, the UK is also facing a number of economic challenges. The country’s economy has been impacted by uncertainty surrounding Brexit, with businesses facing difficulties in planning for the future. The UK is also grappling with the loss of access to the EU’s single market and customs union, which has implications for trade, investment, and jobs.
The EU, for its part, is facing its own set of challenges in the wake of the Brexit vote. The EU has struggled to maintain unity in the face of the UK’s departure, with some member states calling for further integration and others pushing for more autonomy. The EU is also facing questions about its future, with many asking whether the bloc will continue to exist in its current form.
Looking Ahead
As the UK and the EU move forward in the wake of the Brexit vote, it is clear that the impact of this historic event will be felt for many years to come. The country’s withdrawal from the EU marks a turning point in the UK’s history and raises questions about the future of the EU and the role of nation-states in the global economy.
It remains to be seen how the UK and the EU will navigate this new reality, but one thing is certain: the Brexit vote will have a lasting impact on both the UK and the EU, and the events that followed will continue to shape the world for years to come.
In conclusion, the Brexit vote and subsequent withdrawal from the EU are a reminder of the power of the people and the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogue. The events of the past few years have shown that even the most established and stable political systems can be disrupted by the forces of change. As the UK and the EU move forward, it is crucial that they take the lessons of Brexit to heart and work together to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future.