The UK Exits the European Union: What next for Britain Beyond Brussels?
Download a PDF of this articleThree and a half years on from the shock referendum result that began the process of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, Brexit will finally take place at 11pm this evening. For some a matter of national celebration and for others regret, what is certain is that the moment marks only the beginning of the negotiation that will determine the UK’s future relationship with its nearest neighbours.
There can be little doubt that the 31st January 2020 will go down as a momentous date in the history of the UK and the EU. However, while the celebrations in Westminster this evening might imply that the process of the UK’s divorce from the EU has successfully run its course, the reality is quite different. Indeed, for the majority of UK citizens waking up on 1st February it won’t be immediately apparent that anything has changed at all.