Britain, the European Union, and Brexit
Britain and the EU: a legacy of strained relations 1957: Treaty of Rome is signed France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, six founding members of the European Economic Community (the Common Market), sign the Treaty of Rome, but Britain withdraws from early talks. 1963, 1967: the UK’s two unsuccessful applications to join the EEC With its economy flagging, Britain makes its first attempt to join the Common Market but is vetoed by France. The French President Charles de Gaulle says that a number of aspects of Britain's economy make Britain “incompatible with Europe”, and accuses Britain of a “deep-seated hostility” towards the European project. 1973: Britain joins the EEC With de Gaulle out of office, Britain is allowed into the European Economic Community at last, but within a year calls for major reform of Common Agricultural Policy as well as changes in the way the budget is financed. 1975: EEC referendum Harold Wilson’s Labour government holds a referendum over EEC membership in which two thirds of British voters say they want to stay in. 1984: Margaret Thatcher wins a rebate* from Brussels in row over contributions A key victory for Mrs Thatcher. She had threatened to stop contributions because Britain was receiving far less in agricultural subsidies than some other members, notably France. *a partial refund to someone who has paid too much for tax, rent, or a utility 1997: Single European Currency Britain declares it will not be joining the euro. 2007: The Lisbon Treaty signed (amending the two previous treaties which form the constitutional basis of the EU, and creating the EU in its current form) Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown misses a televised ceremony of leaders signing the treaty, leaving Foreign Secretary David Miliband to sign it instead. (Brown signed the document at a lunch for heads of state and government later the same day.) 2013: Cameron makes referendum pledge David Cameron promises an “In-Out” referendum if he wins the 2015 general election, which he does. He reiterates his manifesto commitment to hold a referendum before the end of 2017. 23 June 2016: Referendum In a close-run vote, the British public decides to exit the European Union (by a margin of 3.8%). An emotional David Cameron resigns as Prime minister the next day. 29 March, 2017: new Conservative Prime minister, Theresa May, triggers Article 50 which starts the clock on the process of the UK leaving the EU. 26 June, 2017: formal negotiations on withdrawal begin between the UK and the EU.
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