2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum

2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum
Dgp4004 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Country	United Kingdom
Date	23 June 2016
Title	Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?
Remain	48.1%
Leave	51.9%
Caption	Results of the referendum, showing Leave in red and Remain in blue.

2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum. Commonly known as the Brexit referendum, it was a public vote held across the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on 23 June 2016. The electorate was asked whether the nation should remain a member of or leave the European Union. The result, a victory for the Leave campaign, initiated the UK's withdrawal from the EU, a process governed by Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.

Background

The referendum was a fulfillment of a manifesto pledge by the Conservative Party under Prime Minister David Cameron, who had promised a vote in response to growing pressure from Euroscepticism within his party and from groups like the UK Independence Party (UKIP) led by Nigel Farage. This pressure was part of a long-standing debate over European integration and sovereignty, tracing back to the UK's accession to the European Communities in 1973 and the 1975 United Kingdom European Communities membership referendum. Key issues included the supremacy of EU law, contributions to the Budget of the European Union, and rules governing free movement of people. The legal basis for the vote was the European Union Referendum Act 2015, which passed through Parliament with support from Labour and other parties.

Campaign

The official designated campaign groups were Vote Leave, led by figures such as Boris Johnson and Michael Gove, and Britain Stronger in Europe, led by Will Straw and supported by David Cameron, George Osborne, and the Labour leadership under Jeremy Corbyn. Key arguments from Leave focused on regaining Parliamentary sovereignty, controlling immigration, and redirecting UK financial contributions to domestic priorities like the National Health Service. The Remain campaign, supported by institutions including the Bank of England under Mark Carney, the International Monetary Fund, and Barack Obama, emphasized risks to the economy, security cooperation, and global influence. The campaign was marked by high-profile debates, extensive media coverage, and controversial claims from both sides, such as the Leave campaign's disputed assertion about weekly EU contributions.

Results

On 23 June 2016, a turnout of 72.2% resulted in 51.9% voting to Leave and 48.1% to Remain. The vote revealed significant geographical and demographic divisions. England and Wales voted to Leave, while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to Remain. Major cities like London, Manchester, and Glasgow showed strong support for Remain, while many post-industrial areas and coastal towns in England and Wales backed Leave. The result prompted the immediate resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron, who was succeeded by Theresa May. The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom later ruled in the Miller case that an Act of Parliament was required to trigger Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union.

Aftermath

The political aftermath was immediate and tumultuous. Theresa May became Prime Minister and established the Department for Exiting the European Union, led by David Davis. The government formally notified the European Council of its intention to withdraw on 29 March 2017, beginning the two-year Brexit negotiations under the framework of Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. The ensuing period saw a snap general election in 2017 which resulted in a hung parliament and a confidence-and-supply agreement with the Democratic Unionist Party. The negotiations produced the Withdrawal Agreement, which faced repeated rejections in the House of Commons, leading to political deadlock, the resignation of Theresa May, and her replacement by Boris Johnson.

Impact

The referendum result set in motion the UK's departure from the European Union, which was finalized on 31 January 2020, followed by a transition period. The most direct legal impact was the enactment of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 and the subsequent EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Politically, it led to significant realignment, the rise of Boris Johnson, and intensified debate over Scottish independence and Irish unification, particularly regarding the Northern Ireland Protocol. Economically, it affected the Pound sterling, trade patterns, and regulations. In foreign policy, it altered the UK's relationship with allies like NATO and partners across the Commonwealth of Nations, repositioning the country's global role outside the structures of the European Single Market and European Union Customs Union.

Category:2016 referendums Category:Brexit Category:European Union