BREXIT SUMMARY

The European Union

This page is intended as a simple summary of Brexit, which can be read on its own or with the other resources in this project.

Who is involved?

  • The United Kingdom (UK), in northwest Europe.
  • The European Union (EU), an international organization composed of the UK and 27 other countries.

What is Brexit?

  • The word is formed from British exit - the UK is a member of the EU and wants to exit the EU.


When will Brexit take place?

  • The leaving procedure will probably take two years from 29 March 2017 to 29 March 2019.

Where will the negotiations take place?

  • The negotiations will take place in Brussels, where the EU headquarters are located

Why will it take two years?

Donald Tusk

How will Brexit happen?

  • The UK held a referendum in June 2016.
  • A majority of voters supported leaving the EU.
  • The UK Prime Minister, Theresa May, started the leaving procedure by writing a letter to Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council.
  • There will be numerous meetings between UK and EU officials to discuss different aspects of Brexit.
  • The two sides might or might not agree on all matters.
  • If there is an agreement, then it will take effect on 29 March 2019.
  • If there is no agreement, the UK will still leave, but with standard conditions from the World Trade Organization.