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Brexit: Your simple guide to the UK leaving the EU Brexit: Your simple guide to the UK leaving the EU
(3 days later)
Feeling a little lost on Brexit? Never really got your head around it in the first place? Let us walk you through it.Feeling a little lost on Brexit? Never really got your head around it in the first place? Let us walk you through it.
What is Brexit?What is Brexit?
Brexit is short for "British exit" - and is the word people use to talk about the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU (European Union).Brexit is short for "British exit" - and is the word people use to talk about the United Kingdom's decision to leave the EU (European Union).
What is the EU?What is the EU?
The EU is a political and economic union of 28 countries which trade with each other and allow citizens to move easily between the countries to live and work (click here if you want to see the full list).The EU is a political and economic union of 28 countries which trade with each other and allow citizens to move easily between the countries to live and work (click here if you want to see the full list).
The UK joined the EU, then known as the EEC (European Economic Community), in 1973.The UK joined the EU, then known as the EEC (European Economic Community), in 1973.
Why is the UK leaving?Why is the UK leaving?
A public vote - called a referendum - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016 when voters were asked just one question - whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union.A public vote - called a referendum - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016 when voters were asked just one question - whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union.
The Leave side won (by nearly 52% to 48%) but the exit didn't occur straight away. It's due to happen on 29 March 2019, although Mrs May has said it would have to be delayed, or stopped, if there was a Conservative leadership contest.The Leave side won (by nearly 52% to 48%) but the exit didn't occur straight away. It's due to happen on 29 March 2019, although Mrs May has said it would have to be delayed, or stopped, if there was a Conservative leadership contest.
What has happened so far?What has happened so far?
The vote was just the start. Since then, negotiations have been taking place between the UK and the other EU countries.The vote was just the start. Since then, negotiations have been taking place between the UK and the other EU countries.
The discussions have been mainly over the "divorce" deal, which sets out exactly how the UK leaves - not what will happen afterwards.The discussions have been mainly over the "divorce" deal, which sets out exactly how the UK leaves - not what will happen afterwards.
This deal is known as the withdrawal agreement.This deal is known as the withdrawal agreement.
What has been agreed?What has been agreed?
The withdrawal agreement covers some of these key points:The withdrawal agreement covers some of these key points:
A length of time, called the transition period, has been agreed to allow the UK and EU to make a trade deal and to give businesses the time to adjust.A length of time, called the transition period, has been agreed to allow the UK and EU to make a trade deal and to give businesses the time to adjust.
That means that if the withdrawal agreement gets the green light, there will be no huge changes between 29 March 2019 and 31 December 2020.That means that if the withdrawal agreement gets the green light, there will be no huge changes between 29 March 2019 and 31 December 2020.
Another, much shorter, document has also been drawn up that gives an overview of what the UK and EU's future relationship will be in the longer term.Another, much shorter, document has also been drawn up that gives an overview of what the UK and EU's future relationship will be in the longer term.
This is the political declaration. However, neither side has to stick exactly to what it says - it is a set of ambitions for the future talks.This is the political declaration. However, neither side has to stick exactly to what it says - it is a set of ambitions for the future talks.
What happens next?What happens next?
Now that leaders of the other 27 EU countries have signed off the withdrawal agreement and political declaration, UK Prime Minister Theresa May needs to persuade MPs in her own Parliament to back it.Now that leaders of the other 27 EU countries have signed off the withdrawal agreement and political declaration, UK Prime Minister Theresa May needs to persuade MPs in her own Parliament to back it.
Will the deal get through the UK Parliament?Will the deal get through the UK Parliament?
Well, at the moment it looks like it might not.Well, at the moment it looks like it might not.
The vote on it was meant to take place on 11 December, but Mrs May postponed it, admitting the deal didn't have enough support to pass.The vote on it was meant to take place on 11 December, but Mrs May postponed it, admitting the deal didn't have enough support to pass.
The prime minister said she would try and ask the EU for changes before bringing the deal back to Parliament.The prime minister said she would try and ask the EU for changes before bringing the deal back to Parliament.
However, the delay sparked more criticism, and Mrs May faced a vote by Tory MPs over whether she should continue to lead her party. She won by 200 votes to 117.However, the delay sparked more criticism, and Mrs May faced a vote by Tory MPs over whether she should continue to lead her party. She won by 200 votes to 117.
Government sources say the vote will take place on Tuesday, 15 January. Mrs May has said she is working on getting further assurances from the EU ahead of the vote.Government sources say the vote will take place on Tuesday, 15 January. Mrs May has said she is working on getting further assurances from the EU ahead of the vote.
More on what's likely to happen when MPs finally have their say on the dealMore on what's likely to happen when MPs finally have their say on the deal
What do critics of the deal say?What do critics of the deal say?
There are a broad range of complaints, many of which centre around a perceived failure to take back full control of UK affairs from the EU. There are a broad range of complaints, many of which claim the deal fails to see the UK regain control of its affairs from the EU.
One of the biggest sticking points has been over what happens at the Irish border.One of the biggest sticking points has been over what happens at the Irish border.
Both the EU and UK want to avoid the return of guard posts and checks (here's why), so something called the backstop - a sort of safety net - was included in the deal.Both the EU and UK want to avoid the return of guard posts and checks (here's why), so something called the backstop - a sort of safety net - was included in the deal.
However, it would mean that Northern Ireland - but not the rest of the UK - would still follow some EU rules on things such as food products.However, it would mean that Northern Ireland - but not the rest of the UK - would still follow some EU rules on things such as food products.
The backstop is meant to be a last resort and the prime minister insists that if all goes as planned it will never be used.The backstop is meant to be a last resort and the prime minister insists that if all goes as planned it will never be used.
But it has annoyed some MPs, who are angry that the UK would not be able to end it without the EU's permission and so EU rules could remain in place for good.But it has annoyed some MPs, who are angry that the UK would not be able to end it without the EU's permission and so EU rules could remain in place for good.
Q&A: The Irish border Brexit backstopQ&A: The Irish border Brexit backstop
What happens if Parliament rejects the deal?What happens if Parliament rejects the deal?
It's not very clear.It's not very clear.
The default position would be for the UK to leave the EU without a deal, but the government would have up to 21 days to suggest another way forward to MPs. The default position would be for the UK to leave the EU without a deal, but the government will have up to three days to come up with alternative options to put to MPs.
Possibilities (explained here in more detail) include the prime minister being allowed to have a second go at getting her deal accepted by Parliament.Possibilities (explained here in more detail) include the prime minister being allowed to have a second go at getting her deal accepted by Parliament.
So will we definitely leave on 29 March 2019?So will we definitely leave on 29 March 2019?
It is written into law that the UK will be leaving on that date at 11pm UK time.It is written into law that the UK will be leaving on that date at 11pm UK time.
But if there is no deal, or Parliament rejects the deal, it is impossible to say with any certainty what will happen next.But if there is no deal, or Parliament rejects the deal, it is impossible to say with any certainty what will happen next.
The deadline of 29 March could be extended - and the European Court of Justice has said the UK could even cancel Brexit altogether without the agreement of other nations.The deadline of 29 March could be extended - and the European Court of Justice has said the UK could even cancel Brexit altogether without the agreement of other nations.
What happens if we leave without a deal?What happens if we leave without a deal?
"No deal" means the UK would have failed to agree a withdrawal agreement."No deal" means the UK would have failed to agree a withdrawal agreement.
That would mean there would be no transition period after 29 March 2019, and EU laws would stop applying to the UK immediately (more on that here).That would mean there would be no transition period after 29 March 2019, and EU laws would stop applying to the UK immediately (more on that here).
The government has started planning for this potential situation.The government has started planning for this potential situation.
It has published a series of guides - which cover everything from pet passports to the impact on electricity supplies.It has published a series of guides - which cover everything from pet passports to the impact on electricity supplies.