Discussion Thread: 14.2A What are the likely policy implications of the United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union (EU) ? (DUE: April 12, 2020)Discussion Thread 14.2A Q & A What are the likely policy implications of the United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union (EU) ?
Students are to watch the Brexit videos above and to study the current Brexit timeline and issues found in the UK document link below.
Brexit timeline & issues Link: http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/docum… Brexit timeline & issues Link: http://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/docum…
Based upon the case study information provided, Students are to answer the following discussion questions:
What are the likely economic, political and foreign policy implications for the United Kingdom (UK), if it successfully negotiates a withdrawal from the European Union (EU)?
What are the likely economic, political and foreign policy implications for the other European Union members and the Union as a whole, if the UK successfully negotiates a withdrawal from the EU?This is all nothing else needed! just follow above instructions, thanks!BRIEFING PAPER
Number 7960, 3 April 2019
Brexit timeline: events
leading to the UK’s exit
from the European Union
By Nigel Walker
Contents:
1. Events leading up to the EU
Referendum on 23 June 2016
2. Referendum – General
Election
3. General Election – close of
Phase 1
4. Close of Phase 1 – EU
(Withdrawal) Act becomes
law
5. EU (Withdrawal) Act becomes
law – the ‘Meaningful Vote’
6. The ‘Meaningful Vote’ –
present (13 March 2019)
7. Future timetable
www.parliament.uk/commons-library | intranet.parliament.uk/commons-library | papers@parliament.uk | @commonslibrary
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Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
Contents
Summary
3
1.
Events leading up to the EU Referendum on 23 June 2016
4
2.
Referendum – General Election
3.
General Election – close of Phase 1
16
4.
Close of Phase 1 – EU (Withdrawal) Act becomes law
24
5.
EU (Withdrawal) Act becomes law – the ‘Meaningful
Vote’
31
6.
The ‘Meaningful Vote’ – present (13 March 2019)
42
7.
Future timetable
56
6
3
Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Summary
In a referendum held on 23 June 2016, the majority of those who voted
chose to leave the European Union.
On 29 March 2017, in writing to European Council President Donald
Tusk, the Prime Minister formally triggered Article 50 and began the
two-year countdown to the UK formally leaving the EU (commonly
known as ‘Brexit’).
The UK had long been expected to leave the European Union at 11pm
on 29 March 2019. However, following a House of Commons vote on
14 March 2019, the Government sought permission from the EU to
extend Article 50 and agree a later Brexit date.
On 20 March 2019 the Prime Minister wrote to European Council
President Donald Tusk, asking to extend Article 50 until 30 June 2019.
Following a European Council meeting the next day, EU27 leaders
agreed to grant an extension comprising two possible dates: 22 May
2019, should the Withdrawal Agreement gain approval from MPs; or 12
April 2019, should the Withdrawal Agreement not be approved by the
House of Commons.
On 2 April 2019, the Prime Minister announced she will seek a further
extension to the Article 50 process and offers to meet the Leader of the
Opposition to agree a deal that can win the support of MPs.
This paper provides a timeline of the major events leading up to the
referendum and subsequent dates of note, looking ahead to expected
events as the UK and EU negotiate Britain’s exit.
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Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
1. Events leading up to the EU
Referendum on 23 June 2016
Key events
17 December 2015: The European Union Referendum Act receives Royal Assent, providing
for a referendum on the UK’s future membership of the EU.
22 February 2016: The Prime Minister announces the EU referendum date – 23 June 2016.
23 January 2013
In a speech at Bloomberg, Prime Minister David
Cameron discusses the future of the European
Union and declares he is in favour of an in-out
referendum in the future on the basis of a new
settlement for the UK in the EU.
14 April 2015
Launch of the Conservative Party Manifesto for
the 2015 General Election.
This pledges: “Real change in our relationship
with the European Union” and commits to
“hold an in-out referendum on our
membership of the EU before the end of
2017”.
25-26 June 2015
Meeting of the European Council. Here, the
Prime Minister sets out his plans for an in-out
referendum. It is the first step in the
negotiation process and the European Council
agrees to return to the issue in December.
15-16 October
2015
European Council meeting.
19 October 2015
The Prime Minister makes a statement to
Parliament on the previous week’s European
Council meeting. He sets out the four things
he needs to achieve for the UK’s renegotiation
package in the areas of economic governance,
competitiveness, sovereignty and social
benefits and free movement
10 November 2015
David Cameron delivers a speech on Europe to
Chatham House, setting out the case for EU
reform and reaffirming his commitment to an
EU referendum before the end of 2017.
In a letter to Donald Tusk the Prime Minister
sets out the four areas where he is seeking
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Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
reform as part of negotiations on the UK’s
membership of the EU.
17 December 2015
The European Union Referendum Act receives
Royal Assent. This provides for the holding of a
referendum in the UK and Gibraltar on
whether the UK should remain a member of
the EU.
2 February 2016
Donald Tusk writes to Members of the
European Council on his proposal for a new
settlement for the UK within the EU.
The European Council publishes its Draft
Decision concerning a ‘New Settlement for the
United Kingdom within the European Union’.
3 February 2016
The Prime Minister gives a statement to the
House of Commons on the progress made
regarding the UK-EU renegotiation.
18-19 February
2016
European Council meeting.
19 February 2016
Following the meeting of the European
Council, David Cameron gives a statement
outlining his negotiations to secure a deal
giving the UK special status in the EU.
22 February 2016
The Prime Minister announces the EU
referendum date – 23 June 2016 – after
securing a deal on Britain’s membership of the
EU.
The government publishes The best of both
worlds: the United Kingdom’s special status in
a reformed European Union.
In the House of Commons, David Cameron
makes a statement on the UK’s new special
status in the EU and announces the date of the
referendum.
11-13 April 2016
Published by the Government on 6 April, an EU
referendum leaflet is delivered to every
household in the UK, setting out the case for
remaining in the EU.
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Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
2. Referendum – General Election
Key events
23 June 2016: UK holds referendum on its membership of the EU, with the majority of voters
choosing to leave the EU (51.9% of the vote versus 48.1% voting to remain).
24 June 2016: Prime Minister David Cameron announces his intention to resign.
13 July 2016: Theresa May becomes the new UK Prime Minister.
2 October 2016: In her Party Conference speech, Theresa May announces a ‘Great Repeal
Bill’ and confirms Article 50 will be triggered before the end of March 2017.
3 November 2016: High Court gives its judgment in the Gina Miller case, finding in favour of
the claimants. The Government announces it will appeal against the decision.
17 January 2017: Prime Minister gives her Lancaster House speech, setting out the
Government’s ‘Plan for Britain’ and the priorities that the UK will use to negotiate Brexit.
24 January 2017: Supreme Court rejects the Government’s appeal of the Gina Miller case.
26 January 2017: Government publishes European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill.
2 February 2017: Government publishes its Brexit White Paper, formally setting out its
strategy for the UK to leave the EU.
16 March 2017: European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Act received Royal Assent.
29 March 2017: Prime Minister triggers Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.
30 March 2017: Government publishes the Great Repeal Bill White Paper.
18 April 2017: Prime Minister calls a General Election – to be held on 8 June 2017.
23 June 2016
The UK holds a referendum on its membership
of the EU. The question posed to the
electorate: “Should the United Kingdom
remain a member of the European Union or
leave the European Union?”
24 June 2016
Result of the referendum is announced, with
the majority of voters choosing to leave the EU.
The referendum results are:
Remain:
16,141,241 (48.1%)
Leave:
17,410,742 (51.9%)
In a statement outside 10 Downing St, Prime
Minister David Cameron announces his
resignation, though will stay in office until a
new leader is in place, which should be by the
Conservative Party Conference in October.
EU leaders and the Netherlands EU Presidency
release a statement on the outcome of the UK
referendum.
7
Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
27 June 2016
David Cameron gives a statement to the House
of Commons on the outcome of the EU
Referendum.
28-29 June 2016
European Council meeting, the first since the
referendum.
Following the meeting on 28 June, the Prime
Minister gives a statement and answers
questions.
29 June 2016
David Cameron makes a statement to the
House of Commons on the first EU Council
meeting since the referendum.
13 July 2016
Theresa May becomes the new UK Prime
Minister.
David Davis is appointed Secretary of State for
Exiting the European Union.
20 July 2016
Speaking to the President of the European
Council, Theresa May suggests that the UK
relinquishes the rotating Presidency of the
Council, scheduled for the second half of
2017.
13 August 2016
Chancellor Philip Hammond guarantees EU
funding beyond the date the UK leaves the EU.
1 September 2016
Writing in the Belfast Telegraph ahead of a trip
to Northern Ireland, David Davis insists “We
don’t want a hard border post Brexit… we
remain open for business.”
5 September 2016
David Davis makes a statement to the House of
Commons, explaining the work of the
Department for Exiting the European Union.
8 September 2016
In an Irish Times article, David Davis insists
Ireland will not have to choose between having
a strong commitment to the UK or to the EU –
it can and should have both.
Theresa May holds her first formal bilateral
meeting with European Council President
Donald Tusk to discuss the UK’s withdrawal
from the EU.
2 October 2016
In her speech to the Conservative Party
Conference, the Prime Minister announces a
‘Great Repeal Bill’ to repeal the European
Communities Act 1972.
In the same speech the Prime Minister confirms
that she will trigger Article 50 before the end
of March 2017 and declares:
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Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
“It is not up to the House of
Commons to invoke Article 50, and it
is not up to the House of Lords. It is up
to the Government to trigger Article
50 and the Government alone”.
David Davis announces that the Government
plans to repeal the 1972 European
Communities Act (ECA).
4 October 2016
The High Court of Justice in Northern Ireland
hears a legal challenge to Brexit. The question
for the court is whether the UK Government
needs the consent of the Northern Ireland
Assembly to leave the EU.
10 October 2016
David Davis makes a statement to the House of
Commons on the next steps in leaving the EU.
13 October 2016
Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and
SNP leader, announces that a Scottish
independence referendum bill will be published
for consultation. She later says that a second
referendum on Scottish independence is likely
by 2020.
13, 17-18 October
2016
The High Court hears the Gina Miller case:
judicial review proceedings challenging the
legality of the UK Government’s proposed use
of prerogative powers to give notice of
intention to leave the EU under Article 50.
20-21 October
2016
European Council meeting. At the end of the
session, Theresa May gives a statement
regarding the subjects covered in the meeting
and takes questions.
24 October 2016
The Prime Minister gives a Statement to the
House of Commons on the previous week’s
meeting of the European Council.
Theresa May chairs her first Joint Ministerial
Committee meeting with Devolved
Administration leaders, with ‘exiting the EU’
being a major theme of the meeting.
28 October 2016
The High Court in Northern Ireland rules in
favour of the UK Government, following the
court case heard on 4 October.
3 November 2016
The High Court gives its judgment in R (Gina
Miller & Dos Santos) v Secretary of State for
Exiting the European Union.
The Court finds in favour of the claimants and
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Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
rules the Government cannot, according to the
UK’s constitutional law, use prerogative
powers to give the notice required by Article
50 TEU to withdraw from the European Union.
The Government says it will appeal against the
decision and is granted permission to
“leapfrog” the Court of Appeal and go directly
to the Supreme Court.
The Government maintains its intention to stick
to the March 2017 timetable for Article 50 to
be invoked.
7 November 2016
David Davis gives a Statement to the House of
Commons on the process for invoking Article
50.
24 November 2016
Alex Ellis, the current British Ambassador to
Brazil, is appointed Director General at the
Department for Exiting the European Union
and will take up his position in January 2017.
5-8 December 2016
The UK’s Supreme Court hears the
Government’s appeal against the High Court
ruling that Parliament must vote on whether
Article 50 can be triggered.
For the first time ever, the Supreme Court sits
en banc, meaning that all sitting justices hear
the case.
7 December 2016
The House of Commons vote on respecting the
outcome of the referendum is passed by a
large majority.
MPs also call on the Prime Minister to commit
to publishing the Government’s plan for
leaving the EU before Article 50 is invoked.
3 January 2017
Sir Ivan Rogers, the UK Permanent
Representative to the EU, resigns.
4 January 2017
Sir Tim Barrow is appointed as UK Permanent
Representative to the EU, taking up the role
the following week.
17 January 2017
David Davis gives a statement to the House of
Commons on the ‘New Partnership with the
EU”.
In a speech at Lancaster House the Prime
Minister sets out the government’s ‘Plan for
Britain’ – the plan for leaving the EU – which
includes 12 priorities that the UK Government
10 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
will use to negotiate Brexit: The government’s
negotiating objectives for exiting the EU.
19 January 2017
The Prime Minister writes in The Times
Scotland on her plans for the whole of the UK
to benefit post-Brexit: “I want an exit that will
work for all of us”
Writing in The Sun, Theresa May explains how
the Government’s plan for exiting the EU fits
into her wider plan for a better Britain: “We
will create a fairer society”.
Addressing the World Economic Forum in
Davos, Theresa May speaks about her plans for
Brexit and a Global Britain: Davos 2017: Prime
Minister’s speech.
24 January 2017
The Supreme Court rejects (by a majority of 8
to 3) the Government’s appeal against the
November 2016 High Court ruling and states
that Ministers “require the authority of primary
legislation” in order to give the Article 50
notice.
On the devolution questions raised, the Court
unanimously holds that the UK Parliament is
not legally required to seek consent from the
devolved legislatures.
Responding to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the
Government issues the following statement:
“The British people voted to leave the
EU, and the government will deliver on
their verdict – triggering Article 50, as
planned, by the end of March. Today’s
ruling does nothing to change that.
It’s important to remember that
Parliament backed the referendum by
a margin of 6 to 1 and has already
indicated its support for getting on
with the process of exit to the
timetable we have set out.
We respect the Supreme Court’s
decision, and will set out our next
steps to Parliament shortly”.
David Davis gives a statement to the House of
Commons on Article 50, in response to the
judgment by the Supreme Court.
26 January 2017
With legislation a requirement following the
Supreme Court’s ruling, the Government
publishes a draft Bill that will allow the UK to
start the process of leaving the EU: The
11 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
European Union (Notification of Withdrawal)
Bill.
The Bill is very short, with only one operative
clause:
1. Power to notify withdrawal
from the EU
(1) The Prime Minister may notify,
under Article 50(2) of the Treaty on
European Union, the United
Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from
the EU.
(2) This section has effect despite any
provision made by or under the
European Communities Act 1972 or
any other enactment.
30 January 2017
Writing in the Irish Times, the Prime Minister
sets out the Government’s commitment to the
UK’s relationship with the Republic of Ireland:
I want Ireland and the UK to have a stronger
relationship after Brexit.
1 February 2017
The European Union (Notification of
Withdrawal) Bill passes its Second Reading in
the House of Commons by 498 votes to 114.
2 February 2017
The Government publishes its Brexit White
Paper, formally setting out its strategy for
exiting the EU: The United Kingdom’s exit
from, and new partnership with, the European
Union.
Following publication of the Brexit White
Paper, David Davis gives a statement to the
House of Commons.
6 February 2017
The Prime Minister gives a statement to
Parliament on issues discussed at the informal
European Council in Malta: migration, America
and Brexit.
7 February 2017
UK ministers hold the first meeting of a new
forum dedicated to discussing the implications
of Brexit for the Overseas Territories.
8 February 2017
The European Union (Notification of
Withdrawal) Bill passes its Third Reading in the
House of Commons, by 494 votes to 122.
The Bill now moves to the House of Lords.
12 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
17 February 2017
To coincide with a visit to Downing Street by
French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve,
Theresa May writes in French newspaper Le
Figaro: “We have voted to leave the EU, but
not Europe” (English translation).
1 March 2017
Ministers hold the second meeting of the Joint
Ministerial Council to discuss Gibraltar’s
priorities as the UK prepares to exit the EU.
9-10 March 2017
The Prime Minister meets EU leaders at the
European Council in Brussels.
13 March 2017
Parliament passes the European Union
(Notification of Withdrawal) Bill.
14 March 2017
Theresa May gives a statement to Parliament
on the March European Council meeting and
the next steps in preparing to trigger Article
50.
16 March 2017
In receiving Royal Assent, the European Union
(Notification of Withdrawal) Act gives the
Government the legal power to notify the
European Council of the UK’s intention to
leave the EU, formally beginning the Brexit
process.
David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the
European Union, says:
“The Queen has today given Royal
Assent to the Article 50 Bill, giving the
government the formal power to
trigger Article 50 and deliver on the
will of the British people.
By the end of the month we will
invoke Article 50, allowing us to start
our negotiations to build a positive
new partnership with our friends and
neighbours in the European Union, as
well as taking a step out into the
world as a truly Global Britain.”
20 March 2017
Sir Tim Barrow, the UK’s Permanent
Representative to the European Union, informs
Donald Tusk of the UK’s intention to invoke
Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty on 29 March
2017.
29 March 2017
Theresa May writes to European Council
President Donald Tusk to notify him of the
UK’s intention to leave the EU: Prime Minister’s
letter to Donald Tusk triggering Article 50.
13 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
The Prime Minister makes a statement to
Parliament on Article 50.
30 March 2017
The Government publishes the Great Repeal
Bill White Paper.
David Davis gives a statement to Parliament:
Legislating for UK Withdrawal from the EU.
31 March 2017
The President of the European Council
publishes draft negotiation guidelines for the
‘EU 27’ (the EU members excluding the UK).
6 April 2017
Theresa May meets with Donald Tusk in
Downing Street and she reiterates the UK’s
desire to ensure a deep and special partnership
with the EU following its exit from the Union.
The PM also reaffirms the UK’s position on
Gibraltar and insists there will be no
negotiation on the territory’s sovereignty.
18 April 2017
The Prime Minister calls a General Election to
be held on 8 June 2017.
19 April 2017
MPs approve a motion for an Early
Parliamentary General Election by 522 votes to
13.
29 April 2017
EU-27 leaders meet at the first summit since
the UK officially triggered Article 50.
In this Special European Council (Article 50),
meeting, the EU-27 nations unanimously adopt
guidelines for the Brexit negotiations ahead.
The UK Government publishes a ‘Northern
Ireland and Ireland Position Paper’, outlining
the UK’s position on how to address the
unique circumstances of Northern Ireland and
Ireland in light of the UK’s withdrawal from –
and new partnership with – the EU.
3 May 2017
Dissolution of Parliament at 00:01am.
7 May 2017
Second round of French presidential elections.
Pro-European Emmanuel Macron defeats
Marine Le Pen to win the French presidency,
taking over 66% of the vote.
16 May 2017
The Labour party launches its 2017 General
Election manifesto.
14 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
In the section on Brexit, the party’s pledges
include:
Labour accepts the referendum result
and a Labour government will put the
national interest first.
We will prioritise jobs and living
standards, build a close new
relationship with the EU, protect
workers’ rights and environmental
standards, provide certainty to EU
nationals and give a meaningful role
to Parliament throughout
negotiations.
To scrap the Conservatives’ Brexit
White Paper and replace it with fresh
negotiating priorities that have a
strong emphasis on retaining the
benefits of the Single Market and the
Customs Union.
A Labour government will immediately
guarantee existing rights for all EU
nationals living in Britain and secure
reciprocal rights for UK citizens who
have chosen to make their lives in EU
countries.
17 May 2017
The Liberal Democrat Party launches its election
manifesto.
On Europe, the Liberal Democrats promise:
When the terms of our future
relationship with the EU have been
negotiated (over the next two years on
the Government’s timetable), we will
put that deal to a vote of the British
people in a referendum, with the
alternative option of staying in the EU
on the ballot paper.
To press for the UK to unilaterally
guarantee the rights of EU nationals in
the UK.
Continued membership of the single
market and customs union.
18 May 2017
The Conservative Party launches its manifesto
for the upcoming General Election.
The manifesto includes several policies related
to Brexit, including the following pledges:
As we leave the European Union, we
will no longer be members of the
single market or customs union but
we will seek a deep and special
partnership including a comprehensive
free trade and customs agreement.
15 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
The final agreement will be subject to
a vote in both houses of parliament.
To agree the terms of our future
partnership alongside our withdrawal,
reaching agreement on both within
the two years allowed by Article 50 of
the Treaty on European Union.
Once EU law has been converted into
domestic law, parliament will be able
to pass legislation to amend, repeal or
improve any piece of EU law it
chooses, as will the devolved
legislatures, where they have the
power to do so.
16 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
3. General Election – close of
Phase 1
Key events
8 June 2017: General Election results in a hung Parliament, with the Conservatives winning
the most seats and Theresa May forming a government.
19 June 2017: First round of UK-EU exit negotiations begin.
21 June 2017: State Opening of Parliament – Queen’s Speech includes a ‘Great Repeal Bill’.
13 July 2017: Government introduces the European Union (Withdrawal) Bill, commonly
referred to as the ‘Great Repeal Bill’.
12 September 2017: EU Withdrawal Bill passes Second Reading in the House of Commons.
22 September 2017: Prime Minister delivers her key Brexit speech in Florence, setting out the
UK’s position on moving the Brexit talks forward.
19-20 October 2017: European Council meeting to assess progress on the first phase of
Brexit negotiations.
13 November 2017: Government outlines plans for a Withdrawal Agreement and
Implementation Bill.
8 December 2017: UK and EU publish a Joint Report on progress made during Phase 1 of
negotiations. This concludes Phase 1 of negotiations and both sides move to Phase 2.
8 June 2017
General Election in the UK.
The election results in a hung Parliament, with
the Conservatives winning the most seats.
9 June 2017
Theresa May goes to the Queen and later,
outside Downing St, announces she is forming
a government.
17 June 2017
The government confirms that Parliament will
sit for two years instead of the usual one, to
give MPs enough time to fully consider the
laws required to make Britain ready for Brexit.
19 June 2017
The first round of EU exit negotiations begins.
The UK and the European Commission,
representing the EU, agree the Terms of
reference for the Article 50 negotiations
between the UK and the EU.
Later, David Davis gives a statement following
this opening round of the talks.
21 June 2017
State Opening of Parliament. The Queen’s
Speech includes a ‘Great Repeal Bill’ in the
17 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Government’s legislative programme and other
Brexit-related Bills. The Queen announces:
“A Bill will be introduced to repeal the
European Communities Act and
provide certainty for individuals and
businesses. This will be complemented
by legislation to ensure that the United
Kingdom makes a success of Brexit,
establishing new national policies on
immigration, international sanctions,
nuclear safeguards, agriculture and
fisheries.
My Government will seek to maintain
a deep and special partnership with
European allies and to forge new
trading relationships across the globe.
New Bills on trade and customs will
help to implement an independent
trade policy, and support will be given
to help British businesses export to
markets around the world.”
In a Debate on the Address following the
Queen’s Speech, the Prime Minister gives a
brief outline of Brexit-related Bills:
The first part of this Queen’s Speech is
of course about Brexit—a Brexit deal
that works for every part of the
country and commands the greatest
possible public support. Over 80% of
the electorate backed the two major
parties, both of which campaigned on
manifestos that said that we should
honour the democratic decision of the
British people, so this Government will
respect the will of the British people
and see Brexit through. We will seek
to build a wide consensus as we do
this and as we take Bills through the
House, including a trade Bill, a repeal
Bill, and an immigration Bill, as has
been referred to, and also a Bill to deal
with control of access to our waters
for fishermen and a new Bill on
agriculture to give greater stability to
farmers.
23 June 2017
The Prime Minister gives a press statement on
a number of subjects covered at the European
Council June 2017 meeting, including giving
reassurance to EU citizens living in the UK.
26 June 2017
Theresa May gives a statement to Parliament
following the weekend’s European Council.
This Council followed the formal start of the
negotiations for the UK’s departure from the
18 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
EU and comes on the first anniversary of the
referendum that led to that decision.
In her statement, the Prime Minister outlines
several points with regards to the rights of EU
citizens living in the UK.
In conjunction with this statement, the
government publishes a policy paper on the
rights of EU citizens in the UK and UK nations
in the EU.
David Davis opens the Queen’s Speech debate
on “Brexit and Foreign Affairs.”
11 July 2017
David Davis gives evidence to the Lords EU
Committee for its inquiry on scrutiny of the
Brexit negotiations.
13 July 2017
The Government introduces the European
Union (Withdrawal) Bill.
Ahead of the second round of exit negotiations
the following week, the Government also
publishes position papers laying out the UK’s
approach on:
•
Ongoing Union Judicial and
Administrative Proceedings
•
Nuclear materials and safeguards issues
•
Privileges and Immunities
The Government publishes a technical note
considering how the UK’s withdrawal
agreement with the EU should be implemented
in UK law.
14 July 2017
The second round of EU exit negotiations
begins.
20 July 2017
At the conclusion of the second round of talks,
David Davis makes a statement.
10 August 2017
Brexit Minister Robin Walker completes a
three-day tour of the Crown Dependencies,
having discussed the implications of Brexit with
the Chief Ministers of Jersey, Guernsey and the
Isle of Man.
15 August 2017
In the first of a series of papers on the UK’s
future partnership with the EU, the
Government sets out proposals for a future
customs relationship.
19 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
16 August 2017
The Government publishes a position paper on
Northern Ireland and Ireland, proposing no
physical infrastructure at the border.
21 August 2017
Ahead of the third round of exit negotiations,
the Government publishes position papers
outlining the UK’s negotiating approach to
goods on the market and to confidentiality and
access to the official documents.
22 August 2017
The Government publishes a future partnership
paper outlining the UK’s position on providing
a cross-border civil judicial cooperation
framework.
23 August 2017
A future partnership paper discussing options
for enforcement and dispute resolution
mechanisms for UK-EU agreements is
published by the Government.
24 August 2017
In the latest of a series of papers looking at the
UK’s partnership with the EU post-Brexit, the
Government outlines proposals for a shared
approach on data protection.
28 August 2017
The third round of UK-EU negotiations begins.
The Government publishes a series of Technical
Notes on functionality and Protocol 7, on
existing contracts for the supply of nuclear
material, and on spent fuel and radioactive
waste.
31 August 2017
At the conclusion of the third round of exit
talks, David Davis gives a statement.
5 September 2017
David Davis gives a statement to the House of
Commons on EU exit negotiations, updating
Members on the July and August negotiating
rounds.
6 September 2017
The government publishes a future partnership
paper outlining the UK’s objectives for
continued collaboration on science and
innovation.
7, 11 September
2017
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill has its
Second Reading: Day One; Day Two.
12 September 2017
After the EU Withdrawal Bill passes its Second
Reading, the Prime Minister says:
“Earlier this morning Parliament took a
historic decision to back the will of the
20 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
British people and vote for a bill which
gives certainty and clarity ahead of our
withdrawal from the European Union.
Although there is more to do, this
decision means we can move on with
negotiations with solid foundations
and we continue to encourage MPs
from all parts of the UK to work
together in support of this vital piece
of legislation.”
The Government publishes its latest future
partnership paper, outlining the UK’s objectives
on foreign policy, defence and development.
18 September 2017
The Government publishes the latest in the
series of future partnership papers, discussing
the options for security, law enforcement and
criminal justice.
22 September 2017
The Prime Minister delivers a key Brexit speech
in Florence, setting out the UK’s position on
how to move the Brexit talks forward and
offering a transition period after the UK
formally leaves the EU in March 2019.
24 September 2017
Federal elections in Germany.
Angela Merkel secures a fourth term as
German Chancellor.
25 September 2017
The fourth round of UK-EU Brexit negotiations
begins.
26 September 2017
The Prime Minister meets with European
Council President Donald Tusk.
28 September 2017
David Davis gives a statement following the
conclusion of the fourth round of talks.
The Government publishes the latest
(September) edition of the technical note on
the comparison of EU-UK positions on citizens’
rights.
3 October 2017
The European Parliament adopts a Resolution
on the state of play of negotiations with the
United Kingdom.
6 October 2017
Theresa May hosts a Business Advisory Council
meeting at Downing St, to hear the views of
business leaders on Brexit.
9 October 2017
The fifth round of negotiations begins in
Brussels.
21 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
The Prime Minister updates the House of
Commons on UK plans for leaving the EU.
The Government publishes two White Papers
on preparing for our future UK trade policy
and the Customs Bill: legislating for the UK’s
future customs, VAT and excise regimes.
12 October 2017
Following the fifth round of UK-EU
negotiations, David Davis gives a statement.
16 October 2017
A joint statement is issued by the Prime
Minister and President of the European
Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, following
their working dinner in Brussels.
17 October 2017
David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the
European Union, gives a statement to
Parliament on the fifth round of negotiations
with the EU.
19 October 2017
Ahead of EU Council, Prime Minister Theresa
May writes an open letter to EU citizens living
in the UK.
19-20 October
2017
European Council meeting, including EU27
considering whether ‘sufficient progress’ has
been made on Phase 1 of the Brexit
negotiations
20 October 2017
Theresa May gives a statement to the press
while in Brussels for a European Council
summit.
23 October 2017
The Prime Minster gives a statement to the
House of Commons on the October meeting of
the European Council.
25 October 2017
David Davis gives evidence to the Exiting the
EU Committee, for its inquiry into progress of
the UK’s negotiations on EU withdrawal.
30 October 2017
Theresa May meets with First Minister of
Wales, Carwyn Jones, and explains the UK
Government’s priority to deliver a successful EU
exit that will work for the whole of the UK,
with relevant repatriated powers passed to the
devolved administrations.
31 October 2017
David Davis gives further evidence to the Lords
EU Committee for its inquiry on scrutiny of the
Brexit negotiations.
22 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
2 November 2017
At a roundtable discussion, government
ministers meet with consumer groups to
ensure consumer rights and protections are
maintained once Britain leave the EU.
6 November 2017
Robin Walker (Minister at the Department for
Exiting the European Union) and Alun Cairns
(Secretary of State for Wales) hold an evidence
session in front of committees at the National
Assembly for Wales, answering questions on
the EU Withdrawal Bill.
7 November 2017
The Government sets out further details of
how its new settled status scheme – for EU
citizens and their families – will work.
The scheme is set out in a policy paper sent to
the European Commission as part of the Brexit
negotiations: Citizens’ rights: administrative
procedures in the UK.
8 November 2017
In a visit to Warsaw, David Davis reaffirms the
UK’s commitment to strengthening its
relationships across Europe after exit.
9-10 November
2017
Further UK-EU negotiations take place in
Brussels.
10 November 2017
At the conclusion of the latest round of UK-EU
negotiations, David Davis gives a statement.
13 November 2017
The Government announces a new Bill to
enshrine the Withdrawal Agreement between
the UK and the EU in domestic law. In a
statement to the House of Commons, David
Davis outlines plans for a Withdrawal
Agreement and Implementation Bill.
The Prime Minister chairs a roundtable with
leaders of Europe’s key business organisations,
to discuss shared opportunities for industry as
the UK prepares to leave the EU.
At the European Foreign Affairs Council in
Brussels, Defence Minister Lord Howe reaffirms
the UK’s commitment to European security,
saying:
We are leaving the European Union
but not Europe, and regional security
remains top of our agenda in the face
of increased Russian assertiveness.
With challenges to our common
security becoming more serious, our
23 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
response must be to work together
more closely.
14 November 2017
David Davis gives a speech at UBS, to reassure
financial institutions that the UK Government
hopes to strike a deal with the EU allowing City
firms to move staff in and out of the UK.
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill begins
its Committee Stage.
16 November 2017
In a speech to the Süddeutsche Zeitung
Economic Summit in Berlin, David Davis warns
the EU not to put ‘politics above prosperity’.
17 November 2017
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson writes in the
Irish Times, explaining how the UK and Ireland
can strengthen ties via Brexit.
23 November 2017
David Davis visits Estonia and pledges that the
UK will remain the greatest ally of European
partners in matters of security and defence
after Brexit.
8 December 2017
The UK and EU publish a Joint Report on
progress during Phase 1 of negotiations under
Article 50 TEU on the UK’s orderly withdrawal
from the EU.
This concludes Phase 1 of the negotiations and
both sides agree to move to Phase 2 in January
2018 – talks on transition and the framework
for future EU-UK relations.
24 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
4. Close of Phase 1 – EU
(Withdrawal) Act becomes law
Key events
11 December 2017: Prime Minister updates Parliament on Brexit negotiations.
18 January 2018: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill has its First Reading in the House of
Lords.
2 March 2018: Prime Minister gives a speech at Mansion House on the UK’s future economic
partnership with the European Union.
14 March 2018: The European Parliament endorses a resolution laying out a possible
association agreement framework for future EU-UK relations after Brexit.
19 March 2018: The amended Draft Withdrawal Agreement is published.
16 May 2018: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill finishes its House of Lords stages and
goes into parliamentary ping pong
26 June 2018: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes an
Act of Parliament: the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.
11 December
2017
The Prime Minister updates the House of Commons
on Brexit Negotiations for the UK’s departure from
the European Union.
In a meeting with Gibraltar’s Deputy Chief Minister,
Dr. Joseph Garcia, Minister Robin Walker reiterates
the Government’s commitment to securing a Brexit
deal that works for Gibraltar. This is the fifth
meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council (Gibraltar
EU Negotiations).
15 December
2017
The European Council adopts new guidelines for
Phase 2 (the guidelines agreed on 29 April 2017 will
continue to apply in Phase 2.)
18 December
2017
The Prime Minister gives a statement to Parliament
on the previous week’s European Council meeting.
19 December
2017
Home Secretary Amber Rudd writes an open letter
to EU citizens in the UK, outlining the agreement
reached with the EU on their future rights.
20 December
2017
Theresa May writes an open letter to UK nationals
living in Europe.
The European Commission issues a
Recommendation for a Council Decision to
supplement the May 2017 Council Decision
authorising the opening of negotiations. The Annex
25 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
to the Council Decision contains draft negotiating
directives for the second phase.
10 January
2018
German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
publishes a joint article by Philip Hammond and
David Davis, highlighting the importance of the
relationship between the UK and Germany.
16 January
2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill has its first
day in Report Stage.
18 January
2018
First Reading of the European Union (Withdrawal)
Bill in the House of Lords.
24 January
2018
David Davis gives evidence to the Exiting the EU
Committee, for its inquiry into progress of the UK’s
negotiations on EU withdrawal.
26 January
2018
The Chancellor, Brexit Secretary and Business
Secretary write an open letter to businesses, setting
out the UK’s ambitions for an ‘implementation
period’ (transition period) following Brexit.
29 January
2018
The European Commission’s new negotiating
directives are adopted by the General Affairs (Article
50) Council. The Council notes the importance of
translating the commitments in the December 2017
Joint Report into ‘legal text’.
David Davis gives evidence to the Lords EU
Committee for its inquiry on scrutiny of the Brexit
negotiations.
30-31 January
2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill has its Second
Reading in the House of Lords.
5 February
2018
David Davis, UK Secretary of State for Exiting the
European Union, and Michel Barnier, the EU Chief
Negotiator, hold an informal meeting focussing on
three issues: the transition period, the
Ireland/Northern Ireland border and governance of
the withdrawal agreement.
6-8 February
2018
The seventh round of UK-EU Article 50 negotiations
takes place.
7 February
2018
The European Commission publishes an amendable
draft legal text on transition. This partially reflects
the January 2018 negotiation directives on the
transition period. It is a Commission proposal and
not yet the official position of the Council, which
may amend it.
26 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
8 February
2018
The Government publishes a Technical Note
outlining the UK’s position on international
agreements during the implementation period.
The Prime Minister holds a roundtable with senior
representatives of Japanese businesses that are
significant investors in the UK, discussing the
opportunities and challenges presented by the UK’s
exit from the EU.
14 February
2018
In a speech, the Foreign Secretary sets out the path
for an outward-facing, liberal and global Britain
following its exit from the EU.
16 February
2018
Discussions begin to give residents from Iceland,
Liechtenstein and Norway (EEA/EFTA states) similar
rights post-Brexit as those from EU Member States.
17 February
2018
The Prime Minister delivers a speech about Brexit
and security cooperation at the Munich Security
Conference.
19-20 February
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations take place.
20 February
2018
David Davis gives a speech in Vienna on delivering a
Future Economic Partnership.
Guy Verhofstadt MEP, European Parliament Brexit
Coordinator, gives evidence to the Lords EU
Committee for its inquiry on scrutiny of the Brexit
negotiations.
21 February
2018
The Government responds to the European
Commission’s legal text on transition in a Draft text
for discussion: implementation period.
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill begins its
Committee Stage sittings in the House of Lords.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s Chief Negotiator on Brexit,
gives evidence to the Lords EU Committee for its
inquiry on scrutiny of the Brexit negotiations.
26-27 February
2018
Another round of UK-EU Article 50 negotiations
takes place.
27 February
2018
Michel Barnier updates the European Council (in
EU27 format) on the latest developments in the EUUK Brexit negotiations.
28 February
2018
The European Commission publishes the draft
Withdrawal Agreement between the European
Union and the United Kingdom.
27 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
This translates into legal terms the Joint Report from
the negotiators of the EU and the UK Government
from December 2017 on the first phase of
negotiations.
It also proposes text, on the basis of EU positions,
for other withdrawal issues that are mentioned in
the joint report but have not been subject to an
agreement yet.
The draft Withdrawal Agreement will now be sent
to the Council (Article 50) and the European
Parliament’s Brexit Steering Group for discussion,
before being transmitted to the UK for negotiation.
1 March 2018
The Prime Minister meets European Council
President Donald Tusk in Downing St to discuss
progress made in the Brexit negotiations and to
look ahead to the European Council later in March.
2 March 2018
Theresa May gives a speech at Mansion House, on
the UK’s future economic partnership with the
European Union.
5 March 2018
The Prime Minister gives a statement to the House
of Commons on the UK’s future economic
partnership with the European Union.
Minister Robin Walker hosts the Chief Ministers
from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man to give
them an update on the UK’s exit from the EU.
5-7 March
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations
6 March 2018
Theresa May meets with Guy Verhofstadt MEP at
Downing St, discussing the importance citizens’
rights and a commitment to avoiding a hard border
between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
7 March 2018
European Council President, Donald Tusk, issues
draft guidelines on the framework for the EU’s postBrexit relations with the UK.
8 March 2018
Following the latest meeting of the JMC(GEN), the
UK and Gibraltar announce a series of measures to
secure the UK-Gibraltar relationship.
13-15 March
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
28 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
14 March 2018 The European Parliament endorses a resolution
laying out a possible association agreement
framework for future EU-UK relations after Brexit.
Opening session – at coordinators’ level – of
meetings on issues related to Ireland/Northern
Ireland. The opening session looking at objectives
of the exercise and an agreement of follow-up
work.
The First Ministers of Scotland and Wales, along
with representatives from the Northern Ireland Civil
Service, visit Downing Street for an update and
discussion on EU negotiations and the EU
Withdrawal Bill.
16-19 March
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
19 March 2018 David Davis gives a statement in Brussels following
the conclusion of the latest round of Article 50
negotiations.
The amended Draft Withdrawal Agreement is
published. This includes agreed legal text for the
implementation period, citizens’ rights, and the
financial settlement, as well as a significant number
of other articles. The UK and the EU negotiating
teams state their aim to finalise the entire
Withdrawal Agreement by October 2018.
21 March 2018 The Foreign Secretary announces the creation of
250 new diplomatic roles over the next two years,
with ten new embassies/high commissions to be
opened.
This action is part of the government’s Global
Britain vision, strengthening relationships with
countries around the world as the UK leaves the EU.
23 March 2018 The European Council (in EU27 format) adopt
guidelines on the framework for post-Brexit
relations with the UK.
26 March 2018 The Prime Minister gives a statement to Parliament
on the previous week’s European Council meeting
and Brexit negotiations.
29 March 2018 To mark one year to go until Brexit, Theresa May
visits each nation of the UK, outlining her
determination to deliver a Brexit deal that works for
every community and protects the integrity of the
UK.
29 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
4 April 2018
The House of Commons Committee on Exiting the
European Union publishes its report on The future
UK-EU relationship.
16-18 April
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
25 April 2018
David Davis gives further evidence to the Exiting the
EU Committee, for its inquiry into the progress of
the UK’s negotiations on EU withdrawal.
Ministers hold a Brexit roundtable with senior
representatives from the UK aviation industry, to
discuss post-Brexit priorities and to offer
reassurance than aviation access will remain the
same during the implementation period.
1 May 2018
David Davis gives further evidence to the Lords EU
Committee for its inquiry on scrutiny of the Brexit
negotiations.
16 May 2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill finishes its
House of Lords stages and goes into parliamentary
ping pong.
17 May 2018
In a trilateral meeting at the Western Balkans
Summit in Sofia, Theresa May discusses the progress
of the Brexit negotiations with President Juncker
and President Tusk.
The Prime Minster also meets with Irish Taoiseach
Leo Varadkar and agree on their shared
commitment to avoid a hard border between
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
22-24 May
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
5 June 2018
At the latest Joint Ministerial Council (Gibraltar EU
Negotiations) in London, the UK and Gibraltar
confirm their commitment to continue to work
together to achieve a Brexit deal that fully
recognises the priorities of the Gibraltar.
5-8 June 2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
6 June 2018
David Davis delivers a speech to RUSI on Brexit and
Security.
In his speech, the Brexit Secretary accused the EU of
“shooting itself in the foot to see if the gun works”,
in planning to weaken security ties with the UK
after Brexit.
30 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
19 June 2018
The UK and the European Commission publish a
joint statement outlining the progress achieved on
the draft Withdrawal Agreement since its
publication three months earlier.
19-20 June
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
21 June 2018
Caroline Noakes, the Minister for Immigration, gives
a statement to the House of Commons on the new
settlement scheme for resident EU citizens and their
family members.
25 June 2018
Theresa May meets with European Council
Presidenthttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/pmmeeting-with-donald-tusk-25-june-2018 Donald
Tusk in Downing St, ahead of the upcoming
European Council meeting in Brussels.
Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley holds a
series of meetings in Brussels. She meets with
Michel Barnier to reinforce the government’s
commitment to upholding Northern Ireland’s
interests and to help secure a deal that works for
the whole of the UK.
26 June 2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill receives Royal
Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament: the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act.
31 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
5. EU (Withdrawal) Act becomes
law – the ‘Meaningful Vote’
Key events
26 June 2018: The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill receives Royal Assent and becomes an
Act of Parliament: the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.
6 July 2018: The Cabinet meets at Chequers to agree a collective position for the future
Brexit negotiations with the EU.
9 July 2018: David Davis resigns as Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and is
replaced by Dominic Raab.
24 July 2018: Government publishes White Paper on future UK-EU relations.
23 August 2018: The government publishes the first collection of technical notices providing
guidance on how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
19-20 September 2018: EU leaders hold an informal summit in Salzburg.
29 October 2018: Budget Day, the last Budget before the UK leaves the EU.
14 November 2018: The Withdrawal Agreement is agreed and published.
15 November 2018: Brexit Secretary resigns as Secretary of State for Exiting the European
Union and is replaced by Stephen Barclay the following day.
25 November 2018: At a special meeting of the European Council, EU27 leaders endorse the
Withdrawal Agreement and approve the political declaration on future EU-UK relations.
4 December 2018: MPs begin the first of five days of Brexit debates, leading up to the
‘Meaningful Vote’ on 11 December.
5 December 2018: Government publishes the Attorney General’s legal advice to Cabinet on
the Protocol to the Withdrawal Agreement on Ireland and Northern Ireland.
10 December 2018: CJEU issues its judgment on the Wightman case, finding unilateral
revocation of Article 50 TEU is a sovereign right for any Member State to pursue. Later, the
Prime Minister pulls tomorrow’s planned final vote on her Brexit deal.
11 December 2018: Theresa May wins a vote of confidence in her leadership of the
Conservative Party.
8 January 2019: Report Stage and Third Reading of Finance (No. 3) Bill: in a defeat for the
Prime Minister, MPs approve an amendment limiting the Government’s financial powers in the
event of a no-deal Brexit.
9 January 2019: As five days of Brexit debates begin – leading to a ‘Meaningful Vote’ on 15
January – an amendment to the business motion is passed, giving the Prime Minister only
three days to present a ‘Plan B’ Brexit plan if she loses meaningful vote. The deadline was
originally 21 days.
15 January 2019: The Prime Minister loses the ‘Meaningful Vote’ and the Leader of the
Opposition tables a motion of no confidence in the Government.
32 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
26 June 2018
The European Union (Withdrawal) Bill receives
Royal Assent and becomes an Act of Parliament:
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.
28-29 June 2018
European Council meeting. On the final day, EU
leaders discuss Brexit in an EU27 format.
The Conclusions adopted by the European
Council are published.
2 July 2018
The Prime Minister gives a Statement to the
House of Commons on the European Council.
6 July 2018
The Cabinet meets at Chequers to agree a
collective position for the future Brexit
negotiations with the EU. The proposals will be
published as a White Paper the following week.
9 July 2018
David Davis resigns as Brexit Secretary, telling
the BBC he felt the UK was “giving away too
much and too easily” to the EU in the Brexit
negotiations.
Dominic Raab is appointed as the new Secretary
of State for Exiting the European Union.
Theresa May gives a statement to the House of
Commons on leaving the EU. She outlines the
Cabinet agreement made at Chequers, a
proposal that forms a basis for progressing
negotiations with the EU towards a new
relationship after the UK leaves the EU on 29
March 2019.
12 July 2018
Dominic Raab gives a Statement to the House
of Commons on the UK’s future relationship
with the EU, tying in with the publication of the
Government’s White Paper on the subject.
Scottish Secretary David Mundell hosts an EU
exit roundtable with business in Edinburgh,
updating them on the UK Government’s
proposals for exiting the EU.
16-19 July 2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
18 July 2018
Theresa May delivers a speech in Belfast,
emphasising her personal commitment to the
strength of the UK’s four nations and
addressing Northern Ireland’s unique
circumstances. This includes remarks on the
Belfast Agreement, power-sharing devolution
and the border issue.
33 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
20 July 2018
The European Council (EU27 format) and the
EU negotiator Michel Barnier assess the state of
Brexit negotiations.
Ministers discuss the work to finalise the
withdrawal agreement, including a solution to
the Irish border issue, as well as future EU-UK
relations.
24 July 2018
Dominic Raab gives a Statement to the House
of Commons on the publication of the White
Paper on Legislating for the Withdrawal
Agreement between the United Kingdom and
the European Union.
24-26 July 2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
14-16 August
2018
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt visits Finland,
Latvia, Denmark and the Netherlands to
continue talks with European partners ahead of
the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. Mr Hunt
meets his counterparts in all four countries.
16-17 August
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
21-22 August
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
23 August 2018
The government publishes the first collection of
technical notices providing guidance on how to
prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
In conjunction with this, Brexit Secretary
Dominic Raab gives a speech on no-deal
planning.
29-31 August
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
4 September 2018
Dominic Raab makes a Statement to the House
of Commons on Brexit negotiations and ‘no
deal’ contingency planning.
5-6 September
2018
Further UK-EU Article 50 negotiations.
13 September
2018
The government publishes a further 28
technical notices, providing guidance on how to
prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
19-20 September
2018
EU leaders hold an informal summit in Salzburg.
On the evening of the first day, Theresa May
34 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
presents a 10-minute Brexit speech over dinner,
insisting there could be no deal that splits the
UK into two customs territories.
21 September
2018
Theresa May gives an update on the state of the
Brexit negotiations following the mixed
response to her Chequers plan by EU leaders in
Salzburg.
24 September
2018
The Prime Minister holds a meeting with Guy
Verhofstadt MEP in Downing St for an update
on the Brexit negotiations and to discuss the
two key outstanding issues in the negotiations:
the future economic partnership and the
Northern Ireland backstop.
The government publishes a further 24
technical notices, providing guidance on how to
prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
25 September
2018
Home Secretary Sajid Javid delivers a speech in
Madrid on the future security relationship
between the UK and the EU
26 September
2018
Dominic Raab meets Gibraltar’s Chief Minister
Fabian Picardo to discuss how they will work
together during the Brexit negotiations.
9 October 2018
The Secretary of State for Exiting the EU gives a
Statement to the House of Commons, updating
Members on progress in the negotiations to
leave the EU and the Government’s planning for
no-deal.
12 October 2018
The government publishes a further 29
technical notices, providing guidance on how to
prepare for a no-deal Brexit.
15 October 2018
Theresa May gives a Statement to the House of
Commons on EU Exit negotiations.
Later, the Prime Minister meets Scotland’s First
Minister Nicola Sturgeon to discuss the final
stage of negotiations with the EU.
A further meeting is held between Theresa May
and Sinn Féin leaders to discuss issues relating
to the backstop and wider border concerns.
16 October 2018
Michel Barnier updates the European Council
(EU27 format) on the most recent talks with the
UK.
35 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
During the meeting, Michel Barnier explains
that despite intense negotiating efforts, some
key issues remain open, in particular the
backstop to avoid a hard border between
Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
17 October 2018
The European Council meets in an EU27 (Article
50) format to discuss Brexit.
Ahead of the meeting, Theresa May updates
leaders on the UK perspective of negotiations.
EU27 leaders reaffirm their full confidence in
Michel Barnier and note that not enough
progress has been achieved in the negotiations.
19 October 2018
The Prime Minister addresses over 130 business
leaders on progress in the Brexit negotiations,
outlining her government’s intention to
preserve the UK’s and EU’s frictionless access to
each other’s markets for goods.
22 October 2018
The Secretary of State for Exiting the EU delivers
a statement on a Meaningful Vote.
Theresa May gives a Statement to the House of
Commons to update Members on the October
European Council meeting.
29 October 2018
UK Budget Day. In the last Budget before the
UK leaves the EU, Chancellor Philip Hammond
announces £500m for no-deal Brexit
preparations.
13 November 2018
The House of Commons holds an Opposition
Day Debate on legal advice on the EU
Withdrawal Agreement. With a Parliamentary
defeat looming, the Government instructs
Conservative MPs not to vote against the
motion; subsequently, the motion is passed
without a vote. This means the government
must publish the Attorney-General’s legal
advice in relation to the withdrawal agreement,
including the backstop proposal.
14 November 2018
The UK and the EU negotiating teams reach an
agreement in principle on the Withdrawal
Agreement. This establishes the terms of the
UK’s departure on 29 March 2019.
Following a Cabinet meeting, the Prime
Ministers makes a statement to announce the
36 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
publication of the Withdrawal Agreement and
the Outline Political Declaration.
These publications are made available on the
gov.uk website: Progress on the UK’s exit from,
and future relationship with, the European
Union.
15 November 2018
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab resigns from the
Cabinet, citing his opposition to the Prime
Minister’s draft Withdrawal Agreement. Several
other Ministers resign, including Suella
Braverman (Junior Brexit Minister) and Esther
McVey (Works and Pensions Secretary).
Theresa May updates the House of Commons
on the EU exit negotiations, taking and
answering questions from Members for three
hours.
Upon returning to Downing St, the Prime
Minister gives a statement insisting she will
deliver a Brexit that works for the whole of the
UK and provide a strong economy.
The Prime Minister also meets with the Chief
Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, to discuss
matters relating to Brexit.
16 November 2018
Stephen Barclay is announced as the new
Secretary of State for Exiting the European
Union.
19 November 2018
Theresa May delivers a speech to the
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) ahead of
a special European Council and outlines the
Brexit outcomes the government expects to
deliver.
20 November 2018
Theresa May holds a meeting with First Minister
of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon to discuss plans for
the UK’s exit from EU.
21 November 2018
Theresa May has a meeting with First Minister
of Wales Carwyn Jones to discuss Brexit
negotiations. She travels to Brussels for talks
with European Commission President JeanClaude Juncker, to finalise the Brexit deal before
the EU Summit on 25 November.
22 November 2018
Theresa May delivers a short statement outside
Downing St, saying the Brexit deal is now
“within our grasp”.
37 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Later, she delivers a statement to the House of
Commons, updating Members on the progress
of EU negotiations.
25 November 2018
The government publishes a letter from the
UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU on
the territorial scope of the UK’s future
agreements with the EU; and a letter from the
Gibraltar government.
Theresa May makes a statement at the EU
Council.
At the special European Council meeting, EU27
leaders endorse the Brexit withdrawal
agreement and approve the political declaration
on future EU-UK relations.
26 November 2018
The Prime Minister delivers a statement to the
House of Commons on the Special European
Council to finalise the UK’s negotiations to
leave the European Union.
29 November 2018
The Shadow Brexit Secretary, Keir Starmer, is
granted an Urgent Question regarding
publication of the Attorney General’s legal
advice on the Withdrawal Agreement. He
suggests the government is withholding
information after it announced it would publish
a “full, reasoned, positions statement” but not
the full legal advice on Brexit that it has
received.
30 November 2018
Attending the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires,
Theresa May tells world leaders that the Brexit
agreement reached with the EU is a ‘good deal’
for the global economy.
3 December 2018
The Attorney General makes a statement to the
House of Commons on the legal position of the
Withdrawal Agreement.
4 December 2018
MPs hold the first of a planned five days of
debates on the Withdrawal Agreement and the
UK-EU future relationship.
5 December 2018
Following a Motion passed in the House of
Commons, the Government publishes the
Attorney General’s legal advice to Cabinet on
the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. This is
the full, final advice that the Attorney General
38 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
provided to Cabinet on 14 November on the
legal effect of the Withdrawal Agreement.
The Prime Minister has a telephone call with the
Irish Taoiseach to discuss progress made in the
Brexit negotiations, specifically the backstop
and the UK’s commitment to the Good Friday
Agreement.
Day 2 of House of Commons debates on the
Withdrawal Agreement and the future UK-EU
relationship.
Theresa May suffers three Brexit defeats in the
Commons and the Government is also found to
be in contempt of Parliament.
6 December 2018
The Prime Minister announces the formation of
five new business councils to advise on how to
create the best business conditions in the UK
post-Brexit.
Day 3 of House of Commons debates on the
Withdrawal Agreement and the future UK-EU
relationship.
10 December 2018
The CJEU issues its judgment on the Wightman
case, finding unilateral revocation of Article 50
TEU is a sovereign right for any Member State to
pursue.
The Prime Minister gives a statement to the
House of Commons on Exiting the European
Union and announces a delay to the Meaningful
Vote, originally planned for the following day.
Later, Stephen Barclays (Secretary of State for
Exiting the EU) makes a statement to the House
of Commons in response to the CJEU’s ruling
on the Wightman Article 50 case.
11 December 2018
The Chair of the Home Affairs Committee,
Yvette Cooper, is granted an Urgent Question
on the Government’s duty under Section 13 of
the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 should no deal
be reached by 21 January 2019.
Junior Brexit Minister Robin Walker, responding
to the Urgent Question, insists “the
Government will ensure that the question
whether to accept an agreement is brought
back to this House before 21 January”, adding
“If Parliament were to reject the deal, the
Government would be required to make a
39 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
statement on our proposed next steps and table
a motion in neutral terms on that statement”.
The House of Commons later holds an
opposition-led Emergency Debate on the
Government’s management of the meaningful
vote debate.
12 December 2018
Sir Graham Brady, Chair of the 1922
Committee, announces that enough Tory MPs
have a requested a vote of confidence in
Theresa May as Conservative leader.
In the ballot later in the evening, Theresa May
wins the vote of confidence by 200 to 117.
13 December 2018
The European Council (meeting as EU27) adopts
conclusions on Brexit, including further
assurances on the Northern Ireland backstop.
14 December 2018
Theresa May holds a press conference following
the European Council meeting.
17 December 2018
The Prime Minister gives a statement to the
House of Commons, updating Members on the
previous week’s European Council meeting.
Later, in the House of Commons, the SNP
makes an application to hold an Emergency
Debate on UK-EU negotiations. The Speaker
later gives a Statement to announce an
emergency debate will be held the following
day.
18 December 2018
The SNP lead an Emergency Debate in the
House of Commons on the current UK-EU Brexit
negotiations.
19 December 2018
Keir Starmer, Shadow Brexit Secretary, is
granted an Emergency Debate on preparations
for a no-deal Brexit.
20 December 2018
The UK reaches agreements with the EEA EFTA
states and Switzerland on withdrawal issues
including citizens’ rights post-Brexit.
2 January 2019
Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt delivers a speech
to the International Institute for Strategic
Studies in Singapore. Here, he outlines Britain’s
position in South East Asia and looks ahead to
the UK’s post-Brexit role.
40 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
3 January 2019
The Government publishes updated Brexit
guidance for UK nationals living in the EU, in
the absence of a withdrawal agreement.
7 January 2019
Jeremy Corbyn is granted an Urgent Question in
the House of Commons on legal changes to the
EU Withdrawal Agreement and the timetable in
the House for a Meaningful Vote.
8 January 2019
MPs debate the Report Stage and Third Reading
of the Finance (No. 3) Bill. In a defeat for
Theresa May, MPs approve an amendment (303
votes to 296) that limits the government’s
financial powers in the event of a no-deal
Brexit.
9 January 2019
In a further setback to the Prime Minister ahead
of the start of five days of Brexit debates, the
Speaker of the House of Commons allows an
amendment to the business motion by Dominic
Grieve, which is passed by 308 votes to 297.
This amendment means that if the government
loses the ‘meaningful vote’ on 15 January 2019,
then the Prime Minister will then have to
present a new ‘Plan B’ Brexit plan within three
days.
The House of Commons then commences the
Brexit debates.
10 January 2019
Day 2 of the Brexit debates on the EU
Withdrawal Agreement.
11 January 2019
Day 3 of the Brexit debates on the EU
Withdrawal Agreement.
14 January 2019
The Prime Minister gives a statement to the
House of Commons on the further assurances
and clarifications received from the European
Union on the Northern Ireland protocol.
Later, the Brexit debates on the EU Withdrawal
Agreement continue with Day 4 of this series of
debates.
15 January 2019
Day 5 of the Brexit debates on the EU
Withdrawal Agreement.
The ‘Meaningful Vote’ takes place, with the
government suffering a huge defeat, losing the
vote by a majority of 230 (with 202 voting in
favour of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal and
432 against).
41 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Following this vote, Theresa May uses a point of
order to set out how the Government intends
to proceed.
Responding to the Prime Minister, the Leader of
the Opposition tables a motion of no
confidence in the Government, with a vote on
the motion to be held at 7pm the next day,
following a debate.
42 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
6. The ‘Meaningful Vote’ –
present (13 March 2019)
Key events
16 January 2019: The Prime Minister wins a vote of confidence in the Government.
21 January 2019: Theresa May presents the government’s ‘Plan B’ Brexit deal.
29 January 2019: MPs debate the Prime Minister’s ‘Plan B’ deal, which is then approved
following two amendments.
14 February 2019: The government’s Brexit plan suffers a defeat in the House of Commons.
26 February 2019: The Prime Minister promises MPs a vote on ruling out a no-deal Brexit or
delaying Brexit if she loses the second ‘meaningful vote’ next month.
12 March 2019: The Prime Minister loses the ‘Meaningful Vote 2’.
13 March 2019: In a defeat for the Prime Minister, MPs vote to rule out a ‘no-deal Brexit’.
14 March 2019: MPs approve the amended government’s motion, instructing the
government to seek permission from the EU to extend Article 50.
20 March 2019: The Prime Minister writes to European Council President Donald Tusk, asking
to extend Article 50 until 30 June 2019.
21 March 2019: Following a meeting of the European Council, EU27 leaders agree to grant an
extension comprising two possible dates: 22 May 2019, should the Withdrawal Agreement gain
approval from MPs next week; or 12 April 2019, should the Withdrawal Agreement not be
approved by the House of Commons.
27 March 2019: The Commons debates and votes on eight indicative votes, in an attempt to
find a Brexit plan that wins the support of the majority of MPs. All options are defeated.
29 March 2019: The Prime Minister loses the ‘Meaningful Vote 3’.
This was also the long-established date the UK was expected to leave the European Union.
Following a House of Commons vote on 14 March 2019, the Government sought permission
from the EU to postpone this date. At a European Council meeting on 21 March 2019, EU27
leaders agreed to delay Brexit.
1 April 2019: In the second day of indicative votes, all four of the selected options are defeated.
2 April 2019: The Prime Minister announces she will seek a further extension to the Article 50
process and offers to sit down with the Leader of the Opposition, to finalise a deal that will win
the support of MPs.
15 January 2019
The ‘Meaningful Vote’ takes place, with the
government suffering a huge defeat, losing the
vote by a majority of 230 (with 202 voting in
favour of the Prime Minister’s Brexit deal and
432 against).
16 January 2019
In the House of Commons, MPs debate a
motion of no confidence in the Government.
43 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
The Prime Minister wins the vote of confidence
(325 votes to 306) and then uses a point of
order to pledge to work with Parliamentarians
and other political parties in order to find
solutions that will gain the support of the
House.
The Prime Minister later gives a statement at
Downing Street, inviting all parties to come
together to find a way forward.
21 January 2019
Theresa May gives a statement to the House of
Commons, presenting the government’s ‘Plan
B’ and outlining the six key issues that have
been at the centre of cross-party talks.
23 January 2019
The Prime Minister meets with the First
Ministers of Scotland and Wales as part of
ongoing discussions to find a consensus around
the terms of the UK’s exit from the EU.
24 January 2019
In response to an Urgent Question, the Minister
for Trade Policy gives a statement to the House
of Commons on EU Free Trade Agreements.
29 January 2019
The Prime Minister opens the House of
Commons debate on her ‘Plan B’ deal.
The Speaker selects seven amendments for
debate, all of which are moved. Two
amendments are approved, indicating that a
majority of MPs are a) against exiting the EU
without a deal, and b) against the Northern
Ireland backstop in its current form.
Following the series of votes on the
amendments, the main question (as amended)
was put and agreed to.
Theresa May uses a point of order to give her
response to the evening’s votes and the
amended Brexit deal.
30 January 2019
European Commission President Jean-Claude
Juncker and the EU’s Chief Negotiator on Brexit,
Michel Barnier, give speeches at the Plenary
session of the European Parliament, updating
MEPs on the Brexit negotiations and reaffirming
their support for the Withdrawal Agreement.
5 February 2019
The Prime Minister gives a speech in Belfast and
outlines her thoughts on changing the Northern
Ireland backstop and re-opening the
Withdrawal Agreement in her negotiations with
the EU.
44 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
7 February 2019
Theresa May meets President Juncker in
Brussels, to review the next steps in the Brexit
process.
President Juncker makes clear the EU27 will not
reopen the Withdrawal Agreement, but
expresses his openness to add wording to the
Political Declaration.
8 February 2019
The UK reaches an agreement with Norway,
Iceland and Liechtenstein (the EEA EFTA states)
to protect citizens’ rights in a ‘no deal’ scenario.
12 February 2019
Theresa May gives a statement to the House of
Commons on the “Government’s ongoing work
to secure a Brexit deal that honours our
commitments to the people of Northern Ireland,
commands the support of Parliament, and can
be negotiated with the EU”.
The Prime Minister confirms that if there is no
deal negotiated by 26 February 2019, then the
government will make a statement on the same
day and hold a debate on an amendable motion
the following day (27 February 2019).
The Prime Minister’s statement is repeated and
debated in the House of Lords.
13 February 2019
The International Trade Secretary (Dr Liam Fox
MP) responds to an urgent question on the
progress made in replicating trade agreements
between the UK and third countries with which
the EU has a trade agreement.
Members of the House of Lords debate the
government’s ongoing Brexit discussions.
Baroness Smith of Basildon (the Leader of the
Opposition in the Lords) proposes a motion
calling on the government to take all steps
necessary to ensure that the UK does not leave
the EU on 29 March without an agreement that
has been fully ratified by both Houses of
Parliament, and that – before the end of February
2019 – motions are moved which fulfil the
provisions under sections 13(1)(b) and (c) of the
European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.
The motion is agreed, with 155 votes in favour
and 69 against.
14 February 2019
Opening the Brexit debate, Stephen Barclay gives
a statement to the House of Commons, asking
45 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
for the continued support of the House in
negotiating the UK’s exit from the EU, in
accordance with the approach that won a
majority of MPs on 29 January 2019.
Several amendments to the governments motion
are made, with the Speaker selecting three.
The official Opposition amendment – aiming to
set a deadline for another ‘meaningful vote’ – is
defeated by 322 votes to 306.
The SNP amendment – requiring that the
Government immediately begin negotiations for
an extension to Article 50 – is defeated by 315
to 93.
Anna Soubry’s amendment – requiring that the
Government publish its most recent no-deal
briefing documents – is withdrawn, after the
government offers to release ‘no deal’
information.
The unamended motion sees the government
defeated by a majority of 45, losing by 303 votes
to 258.
20 February 2019
The Prime Minister and President Juncker meet
to discuss the Northern Ireland backstop and
commit to avoiding a hard border on the island
of Ireland.
25 February 2019
The UK signs an agreement with Switzerland to
protect citizens’ rights after the UK leaves the EU.
The Labour Party announces it will be prepared
to back a second referendum if its withdrawal
plan is rejected by MPs this week.
26 February 2019
Theresa May gives a statement to the House of
Commons, promising MPs a vote on delaying the
UK’s departure from the EU or ruling out a nodeal Brexit, if she loses the second ‘meaningful
vote’ next month.
The Prime Minister’s statement is repeated and
debated in the House of Lords.
27 February 2019
David Lidington (Chancellor of the Duchy of
Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office)
leads a House of Commons debate on the UK’s
withdrawal from the EU.
The Speaker selects five amendments to the
government’s motion. MPs divide three times
46 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
during the debate and a fourth amendment
passes without a division.
The Opposition amendment – laying out support
for Labour’s alternative Brexit plan – is defeated
by 323 votes to 240.
The SNP amendment – stating that the UK
should not leave the EU without a deal “under
any circumstances” – is defeated by 324 votes to
288.
Alberto Costa’s amendment – guaranteeing the
citizens’ rights part of the withdrawal agreement
be implemented even if there is no deal – is
approved without division.
Yvette Cooper’s amendment – noting the Prime
Minister’s statement that she will return to the
House of Commons in March for a series of votes
on her deal, the prospect of leaving without a
deal, and extending Article 50 – is passed by 502
votes to 20.
Meanwhile, members of the House of Lords
debate a motion “to take note of the further
discussions with the European Union under
Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union”.
6 March 2019
During a debate on the Trade Bill in the House of
Lords, the government is defeated over an
amendment that would oblige Britain to seek to
remain in a customs union with the EU postBrexit, by 207 votes to 141.
8 March 2019
The Prime Minister delivers a Brexit speech in
Grimsby and writes an article in the Grimsby
Telegraph, asking MPs to support her in next
week’s Meaningful Vote. Referring to her Brexit
deal, she writes:
Back it, and the UK will leave the
European Union. Reject it and we do
not know what the consequences will
be. We may not leave the EU for many
months; we may leave without the
protections that the deal provides; or
we may never leave at all.
11 March 2019
Junior Brexit Minister Robin Walker responds to
an Urgent Question on legal changes to the EU
Withdrawal Agreement.
Theresa May travels to Strasbourg to meet JeanClaude Juncker and Michel Barnier.
In a
statement following the meeting, the Prime
47 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Minister says she has secured “legally binding”
changes to her Brexit deal.
On the eve of the second Meaningful Vote, David
Lidington gives a statement to the House of
Commons on Exiting the European Union.
12 March 2019
The Attorney-General gives a statement to the
House of Commons on his “legal opinion on the
joint instrument and unilateral declaration
concerning the withdrawal agreement”,
published the previous evening.
The Prime Minister open a House of Commons
debate on the European Union (Withdrawal) Act.
Following the debate, the ‘Meaningful Vote 2’
vote takes place. The government suffers a large
defeat, losing the vote by a majority of 149 (with
242 voting in favour of the Prime Minister’s
Brexit deal and 391 against).
Following this vote, Theresa May uses a point of
order to express her disappointment in the
outcome of the vote and confirms she will open
the debate the next day on whether to take
‘no-deal’ off the negotiating table.
Further to the PM’s announcement, the Leader
of the House makes a short business statement,
outlining the business for the following day and
the remainder of the week.
13 March 2019
In a statement to the European Parliament
Plenary Session, Michel Barnier says “last night’s
vote in the House of Commons prolongs and
worsens the major uncertainty that was created
almost three years ago now by the sovereign
decision – which we respect but regret –of the
United Kingdom to leave the European Union.”
He adds that it is the UK’s responsibility to find
way out of the impasse in negotiations.
Looking ahead to House of Commons votes over
the next couple of days, Barnier says: “It will be
for the British government to tell us – I hope
positively – how it wishes to proceed, to finally
bring together a constructive majority for a
proposal. It is the UK’s responsibility to tell us
what it wants for our future relationship, what
its choice is, what its clear line is”
MPs again debate the UK’s Withdrawal from the
European Union.
48 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
The Speaker selects two amendments to the
Government’s motion, both of which go to a
division.
Dame Caroline Spelman’s amendment (moved
by Yvette Cooper) – ruling out a ‘no-deal Brexit’
at any time – is passed by 312 votes to 308.
While this result demonstrates the will of MPs, it
is not a binding amendment and does not
definitively rule out a no-deal Brexit.
Damian Green’s amendment (known as the
‘Malthouse Compromise’) – setting out the
process for a managed no-deal – is rejected by a
majority of 210, with 164 votes in favour and
374 against.
The day’s final vote sees MPs voting on the
government’s amended no-deal Brexit motion:
“That this House rejects the United Kingdom
leaving the European Union without a
Withdrawal Agreement and a Framework for the
Future Relationship”. The motion is passed by
321 votes to 278.
Following this vote, the Prime Minister uses a
point of order to acknowledge MPs have
provided a clear majority against leaving the EU
without a deal, but reaffirms her view that “the
deal on the table is indeed the only deal
available.” She confirms that the Government
will bring forward a motion tomorrow on
whether the House supports seeking to agree an
extension to Article 50 with the EU.
This is confirmed in a short business statement
by the Leader of the House.
14 March 2019
MPs debate the UK’s Withdrawal from the EU.
The Speaker selects five amendments to the
government’s motion, four of which go to
division.
Dr Sarah Wollaston’s amendment – requesting
an extension of Article 50 in order for a second
referendum to take place – is rejected by 334
votes to 85.
Lucy Powell’s amendment (itself an amendment
to Hilary Benn’s amendment) – specifying that
any extension to the Brexit process should end by
30 June 2019 – is defeated by three votes: 314
to 311.
49 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Hilary Benn’s amendment – allowing MPs to take
control of the Parliamentary business on 20
March, potentially to hold indicative (nonbinding) votes – is narrowly rejected, by 314
votes to 312.
Jeremy Corbyn’s Opposition amendment –
rejecting both the Prime Minister’s deal and a
‘no-deal’ Brexit, while also seeking an extension
of Article 50 to allow time to find a different
approach – is defeated by 318 votes to 302.
Chris Bryant’s amendment – saying the
Government cannot bring the same deal to MPs
for a third ‘Meaningful Vote’ – is not moved.
The day’s final vote sees MPs voting on the
government’s amended motion – to seek
permission from the EU to delay Brexit beyond
29 March 2019. This motion is passed by 413
votes to 202.
15 March 2019
Theresa May issues a Written Statement, noting
the motions of the House of Commons over the
previous two days and confirming that “the
Government will now seek to agree an extension
with the EU”.
The Statement also states:
As soon as possible following
agreement at the EU level [expected
during the European Council meeting
on 21-22 March] the we will bring
forward the necessary legislation to
amend the definition of exit day in
domestic legislation. This statutory
instrument will be laid, before it is
made, under section 20(4) of the EU
(Withdrawal) Act 2018.
This legislation is subject to the draft
affirmative procedure and so would
need to be actively approved in each
House. The legislation would give effect
to any agreement with the EU on an
extension, so would not be laid before
Parliament until that agreement had
been reached.
17 March 2019
In an article for the Sunday Telegraph, the Prime
Minister writes: “The patriotic thing for MPs to
do is vote for my Brexit deal”.
18 March 2019
The Speaker of the House of Commons makes a
statement in the Chamber, ahead of a third
50 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
‘Meaningful Vote’ that is expected over the
coming days.
In this statement, the Speaker says a further
meaningful vote would be ruled out of order if
the motion was “the same or substantially the
same”, concluding:
If the Government wish to bring
forward a new proposition that is
neither the same nor substantially the
same as that disposed of by the House
on 12 March, that would be entirely in
order. What the Government cannot
legitimately do is to resubmit to the
House the same proposition or
substantially the same proposition as
that of last week, which was rejected
by 149 votes. This ruling should not be
regarded as my last word on the
subject; it is simply meant to indicate
the test which the Government must
meet in order for me to rule that a third
meaningful vote can legitimately be
held in this parliamentary Session.
Later, the Speaker grants an Urgent Question on
the Government’s plans in relation to the Article
50 period extension procedure.
20 March 2019
The Prime Minister writes to European Council
President Donald Tusk, asking for an extension
of the Article 50 period until 30 June 2019.
In Prime Minister’s Questions, Theresa May
updates the House on the planned extension to
Article 50 and a third ‘meaningful vote’, saying:
I have this morning written to President
Tusk, the President of the European
Council, informing him that the UK
seeks an extension to the article 50
period until 30 June.
The Government intend to bring
forward proposals for a third
meaningful vote. If that vote is passed,
the extension will give the House time
to consider the withdrawal agreement
Bill. If not, the House will have to
decide how to proceed. But as Prime
Minister I am not prepared to delay
Brexit any further than 30 June.
Following PMQs, Brexit Minister Chris HeatonHarris responds to an Urgent Question on nodeal Brexit preparations.
51 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
The House of Commons later holds an
opposition-led Emergency Debate on extending
Article 50.
Donald Tusk issues a statement following
Theresa May’s Brexit extension request, saying:
I believe that a short extension will be
possible, but it will be conditional on a
positive vote on the withdrawal
agreement in the House of Commons.
We cannot give up seeking – until the
very last moment – a positive solution.
In the evening the Prime Ministers delivers a
statement from Downing St, setting out her
hopes for the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.
21 March 2019
The European Council meets in Brussels, with an
extension to Article 50 a key part of the agenda.
The Prime Minister makes her case in a 90minute presentation, before the remaining EU27
leaders hold discussions late into the night.
After eight hours of talks, the European Council
agrees to an extension of Article 50, meaning
Brexit will no longer happen on 29 March 2019.
The European Council conclusions explain:
The European Council agrees to an
extension until 22 May 2019, provided
the Withdrawal Agreement is approved
by the House of Commons next week.
If the Withdrawal Agreement is not
approved by the House of Commons
next week, the European Council
agrees to an extension until 12 April
2019 and expects the United Kingdom
to indicate a way forward before this
date for consideration by the European
Council.
Following the conclusion of discussions, the
Prime Minister delivers a statement at the
European Council.
Donald Tusk later remarks on the outcome of the
talks.
22 March 2019
Matthew Pennycook is granted an Urgent
Question regarding the extension to the Article
50 process agreed at the European Council.
The UK’s Permanent Representative to the EU
writes to Donald Tusk, confirming the agreement
to extend Article 50. The European Council
adopts a Decision on the extension.
52 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
25 March 2019
The Prime Minister gives a statement to the
House of Commons, following the European
Council.
Later, David Lidington leads a House of
Commons debate on a motion relating to
Section 13(4) of the European Union
(Withdrawal) Act.
The Speaker selects three amendments to the
government’s motion.
The Opposition amendment – calling on the
government “to provide sufficient parliamentary
time this week for this House to find a majority
for a different approach” – is not moved.
Oliver Letwin’s amendment – calling for
Commons business on 27 March to be set aside
for a series of indicative votes – is passed by 329
votes to 302.
Margaret Beckett’s amendment – saying that if
“no-deal” is ever a week away, MPs must either
approve a no-deal or the Prime Minister be asked
to seek another, longer extension – is narrowly
defeated by 314 votes to 311.
The main motion (as amended) was passed by
327 votes to 300.
27 March 2019
Speaking in a debate in the European Parliament,
following the recent European Council meeting,
Donald Tusk says “12 April is the new cliff—edge
date. Before that day, the UK still has a choice of
a deal, no deal, a long extension or revoking
Article 50”.
MPs debate a Business of the House motion
providing for today’s indicative votes debate.
The motion passes by 331 votes to 287.
The Speaker selects eight motions to be put to
an ‘indicative vote’ and MPs debate these
motions.
Early in the evening, when addressing the 1922
Committee, Theresa May suggests she will stand
down before the second stage of Brexit
negotiations (on the future UK-EU relationship),
reportedly telling Conservative MPs:
I have heard very clearly the mood of
the parliamentary party. I know there is
a desire for a new approach – and new
leadership – in the second phase of the
53 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Brexit negotiations and I won’t stand in
the way of that.
Later, while the indicative votes are recorded,
MPs debate the statutory instrument changing
the date of Brexit as set out in the EU
(Withdrawal) Act. The SI is approved in the
Commons, with 441 votes in favour and 105
against.
The results of the eight indicative votes are
announced:
John Baron’s “No deal” motion – proposing
leaving the EU without a deal on 12 April – is
defeated by 400 votes to 160.
Nick Boles’s “common market 2.0” motion –
allowing continued participation in the Single
Market and a “comprehensive customs
arrangement” with the EU post-Brexit (until the
agreement of a wider trade deal guaranteeing
frictionless movement of goods and an open
border in Ireland) – is defeated by 283 votes to
189.
George Eustice’s “EFTA and EEA” motion –
proposing remaining within the EEA and rejoining EFTA, but remaining outside a customs
union with the EU – is defeated by 377 votes to
64.
Ken Clarke’s “Customs union” motion –
requiring a commitment to negotiate a
“permanent and comprehensive UK-wide
customs union with the EU” in any Brexit deal –
is defeated by 271 votes to 265.
Jeremy Corbyn’s “Labour’s alternative plan”
motion – proposing a close economic
relationship with the EU – is defeated by 307
votes to 237.
Joanna Cherry’s “Revocation to avoid no deal”
motion – requiring the government to stage a
vote on a no-deal Brexit two sitting days before
the scheduled date of departure, should the
government not have passed its withdrawal
agreement; if MPs then refuse to authorise nodeal, the prime minister is required to halt Brexit
by revoking Article 50 – is defeated by 293 votes
to 184.
Margaret Beckett’s “Confirmatory public vote”
motion – requiring a public vote to confirm any
54 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
Brexit deal passed by Parliament before its
ratification – is defeated by 295 votes to 268.
Marcus
Fysh’s
“Contingent
preferential
arrangements” motion – calling for the
government to seek to agree preferential trade
arrangements with the EU if the UK is unable to
implement a withdrawal agreement – is defeated
by 422 votes to 139.
28 March 2019
Andrea Leadsom (Leader of the House of
Commons) announces the House will sit on 29
March to debate the government’s Brexit deal.
29 March 2019
Writing for the Washington Post, the Foreign
Secretary (Jeremy Hunt) says the UK will retain all
the capabilities of a global power post-Brexit.
MPs debate the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
At the close of the debate, the government loses
a vote on the motion (‘Meaningful Vote 3’ – or
MV 2.5, as it has also been called) by 344 votes
to 286.
Following this vote, Theresa May uses a point of
order to outline the implications of the votes.
1 April 2019
MPs debate Oliver Letwin’s business motion for
the indicative votes process. This later passes by
322 votes to 277.
The Speaker selects four motions to be put to an
‘indicative vote’ and MPs debate these motions.
Meanwhile, in Westminster Hall, MPs debate a
series of e-petitions relating to leaving the
European Union.
Later, the results of the four indicative votes are
announced:
Ken Clarke’s “Custom union” motion – requiring
any Brexit plan to include a commitment to
negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UKwide customs union with the EU” – is narrowly
defeated by 276 votes to 273.
Nick Boles’s “Common Market 2.0” motion –
proposing UK membership of EFTA and the EEA
and allowing continued participation in the
Single Market and a “comprehensive customs
arrangement” with the EU post-Brexit, including
a “UK say” on future EU trade deals – is defeated
by 282 votes to 261.
55 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
Peter Kyle’s “Confirmatory public vote” motion
– requiring a public vote to confirm any Brexit
deal passed by Parliament before its ratification –
is defeated by 292 votes to 280.
Joanna Cherry’s ”Parliamentary Supremacy”
motion – seeking an extension to the Brexit
process or, should this not be possible, providing
for Parliament to choose between either ‘no
deal’ or revoking Article 50 – is defeated by 292
votes to 191.
2 April 2019
Following a lengthy Cabinet meeting, the Prime
Minister makes a statement from Downing
Street, announcing that she will seek a further
extension of Article 50 and offering to sit down
with the Leader of the Opposition in order to
agree a Brexit plan that will win parliamentary
approval.
56 Brexit timeline: events leading to the UK’s exit from the European Union
7. Future timetable
Key events
12 April 2019: If the Prime Minister’s deal does not win approval of the House of Commons
by the 29 March, this will be Brexit Day.
22 May 2019: Should MPs agree the Prime Minister’s deal by 29 March, this will be Brexit
Day.
There is some uncertainty about the timing of events in this section and some are indicative
only.
Early April 2019
The Prime Minister will hold talks with the
Leader of the Opposition to agree a Brexit deal.
This new deal will then be put to the House of
Commons for approval.
10 April 2019
EU leaders meet for an emergency European
Council. The Prime Minister is expected to
present her new deal to EU27 leaders and seek
a further extension to the Article 50 process.
12 April 2019
If the Prime Minister’s deal does not win
approval of the House of Commons by 29
March, this will be Brexit Day.
If Theresa May’s deal has still not been passed
by the Commons, she may seek a longer
extension of the UK’s membership of the EU.
The deadline for the UK to decide whether to
hold European Parliament elections.
18 April 2019
The deadline, according to European
Commission contingency plans, for the UK to
confirm whether to make its net contribution
to the 2019 EU budget (approximately €7
billion).
This payment – due 30 April 2019 – requires
House of Commons approval.
April?
The House of Lords debates and then votes on
a motion on both the Withdrawal Agreement
and the Outline Political Declaration.
The EU (Withdrawal Agreement) Bill is
introduced in the House of Commons. It
amends the EU (Withdrawal) Act 2018 to save
the effect of the European Communities Act
1972 during the transition/ implementation
57 Commons Library Briefing, 3 April 2019
period; it implements other elements of the
Withdrawal Agreement in UK law.
This will be another opportunity for Parliament
to debate and vote on the Withdrawal
Agreement.
April or May 2019
A special summit of the EU27 is expected soon
after the UK formally leaves the EU.
Following Brexit, trade and future relations
talks begin between the UK and EU.
22 May 2019
Should the Prime Minister’s deal have been
agreed, this will be Brexit Day.
This could also mark the beginning of a
Conservative leadership contest, following
Theresa May’s indication that she will stand
down to allow a new Prime Minister to take
forward the next stage of Brexit.
23-26 May 2019
European Parliament elections take place.
2 July 2019
The first sitting of the new European
Parliament.
31 December 2020
The transition period ends (unless it is extended
past 2020).
1 January 2021
Agreement on future relations expected to
enter into force.
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