A short history of Britain and the European Union

1948

“We cannot aim at anything less than the Union of Europe as a whole, and we look forward with confidence to the day when that Union will be achieved.”

Winston Churchill at the opening session of the Congress of Europe

1951

Postwar efforts at European reconciliation included the setting up of the European Steel and Coal Community, a forerunner to the EU. Britain was not a member.

1958

The European Economic Community (Common Market) is formed.

1963

Britain applies to join the the Common Market. The application is vetoed by France. The same thing happens in 1967.

1973

Britain enters the European Economic Community and looks for major changes to the Common Agricultural Policy.

1975

In a referendum, 67% of people in the United Kingdom vote to stay in the EEC.

1984

"I want my money back!" Margaret Thatcher wins an EU rebate to recognize how little the UK receives in farm subsidies.

1987

Margaret Thatcher signs the Single European Act, which eventually becomes the world’s largest free trade area.

1992

The UK is ejected from the Exchange Rate Mechanism, a forerunner to the single currency that limits exchange-rate fluctuations among members. It also negotiates an opt-out from the part of the Maastricht Treaty that would have required it to adopt a common currency.

1996

EU bans the sale of British beef for three years during the outbreak of “mad cow” disease.

2002

Twelve EU countries introduce the euro as legal tender. Britain sets out five economic tests to be met before it joins. They are not met.

2008

The collapse of Lehman Brothers triggers a worldwide credit crunch and the launch of a global bailout fund to which the UK contributes.

2011

Fears of a second banking collapse in Europe prompts another international bailout, including Britain.

2015

A European migration crisis triggers anti-EU sentiment in the UK.

Britain's Conservative party is re-elected on a platform promising a referendum on membership of the EU.

2016

In a close-run referendum, the UK votes to leave the EU.

2016

Negotiations will begin on the terms of the UK exit and the nature of the country's subsequent relationship with the EU.

2018

The UK will no longer be bound by existing EU treaties, unless all 27 states agree to extend negotiations.

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