![]() ![]() 23 June, 2016: The UK votes to leave the EU by 52% to 48% in a referendum.Meanwhile, post-Brexit tensions have continued in Scotland where a majority voted to remain in the EU, and the devolved government has been barred by the UK Supreme Court from holding a new referendum on independence without approval from London. But for many in Europe, the divorce has weakened the continent as it tries to face up to global challenges including Russia's war, the post-pandemic economic downturn, the climate emergency, and threats posed by China and Iran. The mood between London and Brussels became warmer in the latter half of 2022, although core issues remain unresolved. Brussels will have noted the Tories' consistently poor poll ratings and the distinct possibility that the next UK election, due by January 2025, may bring a change of government.įriction between the UK and the EU has been tempered to some extent by a recognition of the need for European unity with Ukraine. But the fallout from Brexit has continued to shake the ruling Conservative Party, where the influence of hard-line, anti-EU factions who may resist compromise with the EU remains strong. Rishi Sunak's arrival in Downing Street stemmed the resurgence of political turmoil that brought down his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. But there is little appetite for reviewing the UK's formal relationship with the EU, not least among the major political parties. There is evidence of some "Brexit remorse" among the British public, with some opinion polls suggesting a growing majority of voters now regretted the UK's departure from the EU. Business in particular has challenged the UK government's aim to exploit its new-found autonomy by pursuing a divergent path from EU norms. ![]() New border controls and immigration restrictions, the result of the UK's choices, have disrupted commerce and the supply of labour. Increasing evidence of Brexit's negative impact on Britain's economy put its new trading terms with the continent under scrutiny. Unionists bitterly opposed to the original treaty agreed to study the terms. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government succeeded in striking a new deal with the EU in February 2023. But although the UK duly left the EU on mutually-agreed terms, and a subsequent deal was struck on trade and future ties, the country is still wrestling with itself and Brussels over the post-Brexit relationship.Ī breakthrough in the longstanding dispute over trading arrangements for Northern Ireland - which also plagued the tortuous divorce process - brought hopes of warmer UK-EU relations after two years of post-Brexit tensions, as well as an end to the political paralysis in the UK territory. Brexit: 10 stories to understand what's happened since the UK left the EUīoris Johnson, Britain's last-but-one prime minister, campaigned successfully on the promise to "get Brexit done". ![]()
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