Prime ministerial resignations, historic referendums and of course Brexit: Here are the main events from a seismic few years in British politics:
- Scotland votes to stay -
After a bruising campaign, Scots voted by 55 percent to 45 percent against independence in September 2014. In the aftermath of Britain's June 2016 vote to leave the European Union, Scotland asked for a second referendum.
- Cameron election -
Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives perform surprisingly well in the May 2015 general election, winning an overall majority in parliament after years of coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.
- Brexit referendum -
In a historic referendum, Britain votes to leave the European Union by 52 percent to 48 percent, ending more than four decades of memberships and plunging the bloc into turmoil.
- Cameron resigns -
The morning after the referendum, Cameron, who had campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU, says he is stepping down. This sparks a Conservative leadership race won in surprisingly quick time by Theresa May, formerly home secretary (interior minister).
- Article 50 -
On March 29, 2017 Britain's ambassador to the EU hands over a historic letter to the EU president, formally starting the process of Britain leaving the European Union, the first country in the bloc's history to do so.
- Snap election -
In a surprise announcement, May calls for an early general election on June 8 as Britain prepares for delicate negotiations on its EU departure.
"We need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done... before the detailed talks begin," May said.
Prime ministerial resignations, historic referendums and of course Brexit: Here are the main events from a seismic few years in British politics:
– Scotland votes to stay –
After a bruising campaign, Scots voted by 55 percent to 45 percent against independence in September 2014. In the aftermath of Britain’s June 2016 vote to leave the European Union, Scotland asked for a second referendum.
– Cameron election –
Prime Minister David Cameron’s Conservatives perform surprisingly well in the May 2015 general election, winning an overall majority in parliament after years of coalition government with the Liberal Democrats.
– Brexit referendum –
In a historic referendum, Britain votes to leave the European Union by 52 percent to 48 percent, ending more than four decades of memberships and plunging the bloc into turmoil.
– Cameron resigns –
The morning after the referendum, Cameron, who had campaigned for Britain to stay in the EU, says he is stepping down. This sparks a Conservative leadership race won in surprisingly quick time by Theresa May, formerly home secretary (interior minister).
– Article 50 –
On March 29, 2017 Britain’s ambassador to the EU hands over a historic letter to the EU president, formally starting the process of Britain leaving the European Union, the first country in the bloc’s history to do so.
– Snap election –
In a surprise announcement, May calls for an early general election on June 8 as Britain prepares for delicate negotiations on its EU departure.
“We need a general election and we need one now. We have at this moment a one-off chance to get this done… before the detailed talks begin,” May said.
