The UK became the first member state to withdraw from the European Union, ending 47 years of membership on 31 January 2020.
Key Facts
- Withdrawal date
- 31 January 2020, 23:00 GMT
- 2016 referendum Leave vote
- 51.9%
- 1975 referendum Remain vote
- 67.2%
- UK membership duration
- 1 January 1973 – 31 January 2020
- Transition period end
- 31 December 2020
- Trade agreement signed
- 30 December 2020 (in force 1 May 2021)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Growing Euroscepticism in the UK, amplified by the rise of UKIP and pressure from factions within the Conservative Party, led Prime Minister David Cameron to promise an in/out referendum on EU membership if re-elected. Following the Conservative majority in the 2015 general election, the referendum was held on 23 June 2016, producing a 51.9% vote in favour of leaving.
The UK formally withdrew from the European Union at 23:00 GMT on 31 January 2020, following years of divisive negotiations, two snap general elections, and parliamentary deadlock. A withdrawal agreement negotiated under Boris Johnson's government was passed by Parliament, and an eleven-month transition period followed during which the UK continued to participate in the EU single market and customs union.
EU law and the Court of Justice ceased to have primacy over British law. The EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement was signed on 30 December 2020 and provisionally applied from 1 January 2021, governing the future relationship. The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 retained applicable EU law as domestic legislation, which the UK may amend or repeal independently.