Idiot's Guide to Brexit 1
In June 2016, the UK Brexit referendum asked voters “Should the UK Remain in the EU or Leave the EU?” They voted to Leave by 51.9% to 48.1%. May’s government pushed the “start” button on the Article 50 exit process on March 29, 2017. Under the terms of Article 50, this means the UK will leave on March 29 of this year unless the UK and the EU agree to postpone the date, or unless the UK unilaterally decides to terminate the Article 50 process and remain in the EU. EU membership includes a committed to the “Four Freedoms”: the free movement among member countries of people, goods, services and money. “Hard Brexiteers” want the UK to walk away from all four freedoms on March 29, 2019. However, softer Brexit supporters have accepted that the status quo for trade in goods should be maintained during a transition period while new trade arrangements are being negotiated with the EU. This softer Brexit position became the policy of May’s government after it pushed the...