Al Jazeera recaps the major developments on Britain’s path to Brexit since it was first proposed by ex-PM David Cameron.
British legislators have voted against the Brexit deal negotiated by Prime Minister Theresa May with the European Union.
MPs in parliament’s lower House of Commons voted by 432 to 202 to reject the EU divorce deal.
Politicians are divided on a final roadmap for Britain’s departure from the EU, nearly six years after then-Prime Minister David Cameron floated the idea of a Brexit referendum and almost three years after a referendum in which British voters decided the country should leave the EU.
Below are the key dates in the Brexit process:
Conservative PM David Cameron talks about the future of the EU, adding that he would be in favour of a referendum discussing the UK’s role in the EU.
The Conservative party, led by Cameron, wins the UK general elections. One of the key points in the election is the promise of a referendum on the UK’s membership of the EU.
Cameron announces the official EU referendum date: June 23, 2016.
The UK votes in favour of leaving the EU with a very narrow majority. The pro-Brexit camp gets 51.9 percent of the votes versus 48.1 percent voting to stay in the EU.
A day after the referendum, Cameron announces his plans to resign as prime minister.
Following Cameron’s resignation, Theresa May is appointed the new leader of the UK. She is tasked with guiding the UK through the lengthy negotiation process to leave the EU.
After several months as prime minister, May gives a speech detailing the government’s Brexit plans.
In the speech, May mentions several issues high on the list for the UK during the negotiations, including free trade, security, immigration and worker’s rights.
The UK government publishes its white paper on Brexit, officially declaring what direction it will take during negotiations.
May triggers Article 50, officially starting the process for the UK to leave the EU.
The UK had two years to negotiate a deal to leave the bloc.
May calls snap election to be held on June 8.
The Conservative party loses its majority in the general elections, but it still emerged as the largest party.
May forms a government with help of the Northern Irish Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).
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The EU and UK discuss the process and terms of Brexit, eventually leading to a deadlock between the two sides.
In an attempt to break the deadlock, May talks about several key points during a speech in Florence, Italy. Important issues for Brexit to succeed are, among others, a transition period, fishing grounds, the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland and leaving the single European market.
Both sides release statements saying they have agreed on several key issues after the UK leaves the EU, including the status of EU citizens in the UK.
Following months of negotiations, the official withdrawal agreement is released. The deal faced fierce criticism from the opposition as well as from within May’s own party.
Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey resign after the withdrawal agreement is released.
Both secretaries played a key role in the process.
Raab is replaced by Stephen Barclay.
The leaders of EU countries officially endorse the withdrawal agreement.
Following criticism from within her own party, May narrowly survives a vote of no confidence in her leadership of the Conservative Party.
May fixes January 14 as the date for a vote on the Brexit deal in parliament.
Parliament rejects the deal, complicating UK’s departure from the EU slated for March 29.
The day the UK will officially leave the EU, entering a transitional period during which the last stages of Brexit will be put into effect.
After more than 18 months, the transition period will end, officially concluding the Brexit process.