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Brexit: Your simple guide to the UK leaving the EU Brexit: Your simple guide to the UK leaving the EU
(about 2 hours later)
Feeling a little lost on Brexit? Never really got your head around it in the first place? Don't know what this week's debate is all about? 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% - 17.4m votes to 16.1m - but the exit didn't happen straight away. It's due to take place on 29 March 2019.The Leave side won by nearly 52% to 48% - 17.4m votes to 16.1m - but the exit didn't happen straight away. It's due to take place on 29 March 2019.
What has happened so far?What has happened so far?
The 2016 vote was just the start. Since then, negotiations have been taking place between the UK and the other EU countries.The 2016 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 does the withdrawal agreement say?What does the withdrawal agreement say?
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 agree 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 agree 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.
The deal was agreed by the UK and the EU in November 2018, but it also has to be agreed by British MPs - and they have so far voted against it.The deal was agreed by the UK and the EU in November 2018, but it also has to be agreed by British MPs - and they have so far voted against it.
How did MPs vote on the withdrawal agreement?How did MPs vote on the withdrawal agreement?
They voted overwhelmingly to reject the deal on 15 January by 432 votes to 202 - a huge defeat.They voted overwhelmingly to reject the deal on 15 January by 432 votes to 202 - a huge defeat.
What happens now?What happens now?
Prime Minister Theresa May will try to re-open talks with the EU to attempt to get some changes to her Brexit deal.Prime Minister Theresa May will try to re-open talks with the EU to attempt to get some changes to her Brexit deal.
This comes after MPs put forward some suggestions to try and change the direction of Brexit.This comes after MPs put forward some suggestions to try and change the direction of Brexit.
Seven of these suggestions, known as amendments, were voted on in the House of Commons on 29 January and two were successful (read more about those here). Most of the proposals, known as amendments, didn't get the support of the majority of MPs in a vote on 29 January, but a key one did (read more about that here).
This amendment means Mrs May will return to the EU and try to renegotiate the deal (to sort out a row over Irish border arrangements).
The issue? The EU says it has already negotiated a deal and, so far, it has said it won't do so again.
Mrs May is expected to bring back her revised Brexit plan for another vote in Parliament in February.Mrs May is expected to bring back her revised Brexit plan for another vote in Parliament in February.
However, that plan would also have to be agreed with the European Union - which so far has said it will not change the legal text.
Why do people oppose the deal?Why do people oppose the deal?
There are a broad range of complaints, many of which claim the deal fails to give back to the UK control of its own affairs from the EU.There are a broad range of complaints, many of which claim the deal fails to give back to the UK control of its own 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.
What is the backstop?What is the backstop?
The backstop is meant to be a last resort to keep an open border on the island of Ireland - whatever happens in the Brexit negotiations.The backstop is meant to be a last resort to keep an open border on the island of Ireland - whatever happens in the Brexit negotiations.
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.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 prime minister insists that if all goes as planned it will never be used.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.
Other MPs would prefer to stay closer to the European Union - or even still in it. And others say Northern Ireland should not be treated separately from the rest of the UK.Other MPs would prefer to stay closer to the European Union - or even still in it. And others say Northern Ireland should not be treated separately from the rest of the UK.
So will the UK definitely leave on 29 March 2019?So will the UK 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 it is impossible to say with any certainty what will happen next.But 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 the UK leaves without a deal?What happens if the UK leaves 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.