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Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU
(6 days later)
The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) at 23:00 GMT on 31 October 2019. For those not following every twist and turn, this guide covers the basics. The European Union (EU) has agreed in principle to extend the Brexit deadline until 31 January 2020. For those not following every twist and turn, this guide covers the basics.
What is Brexit?What is Brexit?
Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU.Brexit - British exit - refers to the UK leaving the EU.
What is the European Union?What is the European Union?
The EU is an economic and political union involving 28 European countries. It allows free trade and free movement of people, to live and work in whichever country they choose.The EU is an economic and political union involving 28 European countries. It allows free trade and free movement of people, to live and work in whichever country they choose.
The UK joined in 1973 (when it was known as the European Economic Community). If the UK leaves, it would be the first member state to withdraw from the EU.The UK joined in 1973 (when it was known as the European Economic Community). If the UK leaves, it would be the first member state to withdraw from the EU.
Why is the UK leaving?Why is the UK leaving?
A public vote - or referendum - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.A public vote - or referendum - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain.
Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was very high at 72%, with more than 30 million people voting - 17.4 million people opting for Brexit.Leave won by 52% to 48%. The referendum turnout was very high at 72%, with more than 30 million people voting - 17.4 million people opting for Brexit.
Why hasn't Brexit happened yet?Why hasn't Brexit happened yet?
Brexit was originally due to happen on 29 March 2019. That was two years after then Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 - the formal process to leave - and kicked off negotiations. But the Brexit date has been delayed twice. Brexit was originally due to happen on 29 March 2019. That was two years after then Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 - the formal process to leave - and kicked off negotiations.
Mrs May agreed a deal with the EU in November 2018, but MPs rejected it three times. Under Mrs May, the deadline was delayed twice after MPs rejected her Brexit deal - eventually pushing it to 31 October.
Despite negotiating a revised deal, new Prime Minister Boris Johnson will miss the latest deadline. That's because the EU has agreed, in principle, to a further extension until 31 January.
The latest extension came after MPs failed to pass the new Brexit deal into law.
Why did Parliament reject Theresa May's Brexit deal?Why did Parliament reject Theresa May's Brexit deal?
The main sticking point for many Conservative MPs and the DUP (the government's ally in Parliament) was the backstop.The main sticking point for many Conservative MPs and the DUP (the government's ally in Parliament) was the backstop.
This was designed to ensure there would be no border posts or barriers between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.This was designed to ensure there would be no border posts or barriers between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland after Brexit.
If it had been needed, the backstop would have kept the UK in a close trading relationship with the EU and avoided checks altogether.If it had been needed, the backstop would have kept the UK in a close trading relationship with the EU and avoided checks altogether.
But many MPs were critical. They said if the backstop was used, the UK could be trapped in it for years. This would prevent the country from striking trade deals with other countries.But many MPs were critical. They said if the backstop was used, the UK could be trapped in it for years. This would prevent the country from striking trade deals with other countries.
Parliament's opposition to the deal eventually led to Theresa May's resignation. Boris Johnson took over as PM in July 2019. Parliament's opposition to the deal eventually led to Mrs May's resignation.
On 17 October, Mr Johnson announced that a revised deal had been agreed between the UK and the EU.
What is the new Brexit deal?What is the new Brexit deal?
The backstop has been replaced with new custom arrangements. Once they take effect, the UK would be able to sign and implement its own trade agreements with countries around the world. After taking over as PM in July 2019, Mr Johnson has renegotiated parts of the existing deal.
The backstop has been replaced with new customs arrangements. Once they take effect, the UK would be able to sign and implement its own trade agreements with countries around the world.
The revised plan effectively creates a customs and regulatory border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This means some goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain would have to pay EU import taxes (known as tariffs).The revised plan effectively creates a customs and regulatory border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. This means some goods entering Northern Ireland from Great Britain would have to pay EU import taxes (known as tariffs).
These would be refunded if goods remain in Northern Ireland (ie not moved to the Republic of Ireland). These would be refunded if goods remain in Northern Ireland (ie are not moved to the Republic of Ireland).
As for the rest of the deal, much remains largely unchanged from the one negotiated by Theresa May. Known as the withdrawal agreement, it includes: As for the rest of the deal, much remains largely unchanged from the one negotiated by Mrs May. Known as the withdrawal agreement, it includes:
There are also changes to the political declaration, which sets out plans for the long-term relationship between the UK and the EU. It says this would be based on a free trade agreement.There are also changes to the political declaration, which sets out plans for the long-term relationship between the UK and the EU. It says this would be based on a free trade agreement.
Will MPs approve the revised deal? Why hasn't the new Brexit deal been approved?
Mr Johnson attempted to put his revised deal to Parliament on 19 October.Mr Johnson attempted to put his revised deal to Parliament on 19 October.
However, the vote did not go ahead. MPs chose to postpone a vote on the deal until legislation needed to turn the withdrawal agreement into UK law was completed.However, the vote did not go ahead. MPs chose to postpone a vote on the deal until legislation needed to turn the withdrawal agreement into UK law was completed.
It meant Mr Johnson had to send a letter to the EU, to ask for another Brexit delay. If the EU approves the extension request, the Brexit deadline would be delayed until 31 January 2020. It meant Mr Johnson had to send a letter to the EU to ask for another Brexit delay. EU leaders have agreed to the request, meaning that Brexit will be pushed back to 31 January.
The government has now published the Brexit legislation, and on 22 October MPs voted in favour at the "second reading" - the initial hurdle for any piece of law. The government wanted MPs to debate the bill for only three days but they rejected that timetable. The UK could leave before the new deadline, if a deal is approved by Parliament.
At the moment the bill is paused and EU leaders are considering the extension request. While the Brexit legislation has passed the first hurdle in Parliament, the government has currently paused its passage.
What about an early election?What about an early election?
It's expected the government may try to force an early election. The government will hold a vote to try to trigger an early election.
Mr Johnson wants an early election in the hope of winning more Conservative seats and making it easier to deliver Brexit. By holding one, Mr Johnson hopes to win more Conservative seats to make Brexit easier to deliver.
In order to hold one, at least two-thirds of all MPs must back the idea. Mr Johnson tried to do this in September, but not enough MPs supported him. However, at least two-thirds of all MPs must back the idea. Mr Johnson tried to do this in September, but not enough MPs supported him.
Opposition MPs say they won't back an election - or call for a vote of no confidence in the PM - until a no-deal Brexit has been ruled out.Opposition MPs say they won't back an election - or call for a vote of no confidence in the PM - until a no-deal Brexit has been ruled out.
Will a no-deal Brexit cause disruption?Will a no-deal Brexit cause disruption?
If the UK leaves the customs union and single market on 31 October, the EU will start carrying out checks on British goods. This could lead to delays at ports, such as Dover. Some fear this could lead to traffic bottlenecks, disrupting supply routes and damaging the economy. If the UK leaves without a deal, the EU will start carrying out checks on British goods. That is because the UK will leave the customs union and single market overnight.
If the pound falls sharply in response to no deal and there are significant delays at ports, it could affect the price and availability of some foods. There are also concerns over potential shortages of medicines. This could lead to delays at ports, such as Dover. Some fear this could lead to traffic bottlenecks, disruption to supply routes and damage to the economy.
Combined with possible sharp falls in the pound, the price and availability of some foods could be affected. There are also concerns over potential shortages of medicines.
Mr Johnson has tried to calm such fears by announcing an extra £2.1bn of funding to prepare for a possible no-deal outcome.Mr Johnson has tried to calm such fears by announcing an extra £2.1bn of funding to prepare for a possible no-deal outcome.
Many Brexit supporters say it is hard to accurately predict what will happen, or believe any economic disruption will be short-term and minor.Many Brexit supporters say it is hard to accurately predict what will happen, or believe any economic disruption will be short-term and minor.
But most economists and business groups believe no deal would lead to economic harm.But most economists and business groups believe no deal would lead to economic harm.
For example, the Office for Budget Responsibility - which provides independent analysis of the UK's public finances - believes a no-deal Brexit would cause a UK recession.For example, the Office for Budget Responsibility - which provides independent analysis of the UK's public finances - believes a no-deal Brexit would cause a UK recession.