Brexit Vote
The UK voted 52-48 to leave the European Union in a historic referendum
June 23, 2016
Britain Votes to Leave
On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom held a referendum on whether to remain in or leave the European Union. The result was a 51.9 percent vote in favor of leaving, with 48.1 percent voting to remain. Turnout was 72.2 percent, among the highest for any UK-wide vote in decades. The Leave campaign, backed by figures including Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, argued that EU membership cost Britain too much, restricted its ability to control immigration, and prevented it from making its own laws and trade deals. The Remain campaign, backed by Prime Minister David Cameron and most of the establishment, argued that EU membership provided economic benefits, security, and international influence.
A Nation Divided
The vote exposed deep divisions within the United Kingdom. Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain, while England and Wales voted to leave. London voted strongly to remain, while many post-industrial towns voted heavily for Leave. Younger voters favored remaining, while older voters largely favored leaving. Prime Minister David Cameron, who had called the referendum as a political gamble and campaigned for Remain, resigned the morning after the result. The referendum result triggered years of political turmoil in Westminster as Parliament struggled to agree on terms for departure. Three prime ministers resigned or were ousted in connection with Brexit: Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson.
Departure and Its Aftermath
The UK formally left the European Union on January 31, 2020, following delays caused by Parliament's inability to ratify a withdrawal agreement. A Trade and Cooperation Agreement governing the future relationship was signed on Christmas Eve 2020, just days before the transition period ended. Brexit ended freedom of movement between the UK and EU, changed trade arrangements, and removed the UK from EU institutions and programs. Economic studies have generally found that Brexit reduced UK trade with the EU and slowed economic growth compared to projections. The long-term political and economic consequences continue to unfold, and the debate over whether Brexit was a historic mistake or a necessary assertion of sovereignty continues to shape British politics.