Why did we ever join Europe?
1957 was the year that the European Union’s foundations were laid, something which was suggested due to multiple countries trying to reduce the tension left over from World War II. Specifically, it was France, West Germany, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands that signed the Treaty of Rome, stating that countries that are trading together are less likely to go to war with each other.
It was a pretty smart idea, and considering the war was taking place just 12-years before that, it showed just how quickly enemies were able to move on for the sake of their people. Well, despite this new formation of nations, Britain held back, only asking to join the ‘cool kid’s lunch table’ in 1963, and only actually finding space for its ass in ’73.
Although Britain was now a part of the group, they were leaking money out of their ass, paying a higher membership fee than many of the other countries involved despite being the third poorest amongst them. This changed when Thatcher got involved in the ’80s, however, it just continued to prove that Britain was not afraid to butt heads with those in Europe – something which only got worse after arguments regarding beef and chocolate took place over the next 2 decades.
Why did we vote to leave?
With financial troubles arising in the EU and an ongoing migrant crisis building, UKIP – and others who supported the idea of Brexit – spoke up, causing David Cameron to work on renegotiating the UK-EU relationship. After this, he called for a vote to find out whether the public wanted Britain to leave altogether.
The vote took place on the 23rd of June 2016 and lead to a result of 51.9% to 48.1% in favour of leaving. As a consequence, David Cameron thought “Fuck having to deal with this” and resigned. This was unlike Theresa May who also shat herself but agreed to keep the shitty garments on a little while longer. On the 29th of March, 2017, the order was delivered to the Council of the European Union, officially starting the two-year countdown to Britain’s EU departure.
This meant we had to sort out everything by March 30th, 2019, something which didn’t happen. The European Council then had to set a new deadline of October 31, 2019.
What’s going to happen when we leave?
In the short to medium term, what really impacts people’s practical finances and arrangements is whether we leave the EU with or without a negotiated deal.
If the UK gets a negotiated deal with the EU, then almost certainly the pre-negotiated transitional arrangements will apply. Put simply, this means no change for consumer rules, regulations and prices until the end of 2020 (or longer depending on when things are agreed).
If we leave without a negotiated deal, commonly known as a ‘no-deal’ Brexit, then the landscape will change, and will change rapidly, and you will need to take action. The Government has even undertaken an education campaign to warn people about what could happen if there’s a no-deal.
The soonest we could possibly leave is 31 October. That is looking less likely now Parliament has voted for the Prime Minister to ask the EU for an extension. In these unprecedented times, there’s still a debate about whether the Prime Minister will follow the intent of the law set out by Parliament, and if he does, whether the EU would accept it. If not, the current law states the UK will leave without a deal on 31 October.
Martin Lewis – Founder and Chair of MoneySavingExpert.com
Where do the parties stand?
- Liberal Democrats – 17 MPs that are prepared to change its position to support an outright cancellation of Brexit.
- Labour – 247 MPs that are in favour of another public vote on Brexit. Furthermore, if the party wins an election, Jeremy Corbyn says a referendum will include a Remain option as well as a “credible Leave option”.
- Conservatives – 288 MPs, many can’t collectively agree but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he wants to leave the EU on 31 October “do or die”. He says he wants to leave with a deal but is willing to exit without one to deliver Brexit by the current deadline.
- SNP – 35 MPs that are currently pro-Remain and wants the UK to stay a member of the EU, they are currently campaigning for another referendum on Brexit.
- Democratic Unionist Party – 10 MPs that have agreed to support the Conservatives.
- The Independent Group for Change – 5 MPs that consist of those who left the Conservatives and Labour, in part because of their positions on Brexit.
- Plaid Cymru – 4 MPs that back remaining in the EU. Although Wales voted out in the referendum, it wants a further referendum and to Remain.
- Green Party – 1 MP, Caroline Lucas, has been a vocal campaigner for another referendum and believes the UK should stay in the EU.
