Brexit has been a long, often frustrating, often bewildering, journey – and it’s not even over yet.
Britain has yet to leave the European Union, and by the time the country is out, it will have changed prime ministers twice, alongside other yet unknown events that could take place before that point. Politics has never been so unpredictable.
Just in case you’d forgotten how the last few years unfolded, we’ve put together a full timeline of all the pivotal moments thus far.
Share this Image On Your Site
23 June 2016
British voters head to the polls to cast their vote in the EU referendum.
24 June 2016
It is confirmed that 51.89% of people voted for Britain to leave the European Union, versus 48.11% against. David Cameron resigns as prime minister, after his campaign in favour of remaining loses.
13 July 2016
Theresa May becomes prime minister, stating that Britain will “forge a bold new positive role for ourselves in the world.”
5 September 2016
Theresa May attends her first G20 summit with EU leaders to discuss Brexit, afterwards revealing that she has ruled out adopting a points-based immigration system.
7 October 2016
The pound falls by 6% to $1.1378, its lowest level in 31 years, in what becomes known as the “flash crash.” Many believe the fall may have been caused by negative comments about Brexit from French president François Hollande – others think a technical glitch may have been at play.
25 January 2017
Theresa May publishes a Brexit ‘whitepaper’, after facing pressure from all sides to make the government’s plans available to MPs.
1 March 2017
The House of Lords votes 358 to 256 in favour of amending the Brexit bill in order to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in Britain.
29 March 2017
Britain invokes Artice 50 of the Treaty of the European Union, starting a negotiation process which is officially intended to last two years.
18 April 2017
Theresa May calls a snap general election, going against multiple instances where she previously said she would not be calling one before the end of the government’s fixed term.
8 June 2017
The Conservative party loses its parliamentary majority in the general election, after Labour defies expectations to take seats from the party across the country.
13 July 2017
Jeremy Corbyn meets the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier, calling the meeting “very informative, very frank, very useful.”
21 August 2017
Britain publishes the first in a series of five ‘position papers’ – these lay out the desire for existing safety standards and tests on consumer goods to be carried out both in the UK and EU – giving some reassurance to manufacturing companies.
7 September 2017
The European Commission releases its own set of position papers on topics ranging from the Irish border to data protection.
22 September 2017
Theresa May lays out her vision for the future of Britain in a speech in Florence, where she states her intention for Britain to follow single market rules and allow freedom of movement for at least two years after Brexit.
26 September 2017
European Council President Donald Tusk says there has been “no sufficient progress yet” in Brexit negotiations.
12 October 2017
The EU’s chief negotiator Michel Barnier announces that the talks are at a “deadlock”, adding that he does not recommend that the talks move onto the next phase.
9 November 2017
Talks do continue, into the sixth round of negotiations, but no further progress is made.
24 November 2017
Donald Tusk sets a deadline of 4 December for Britain to provide a revised offer on the Brexit bill, including a solution to the Irish border backstop issue.
8 December 2017
The European Commission recommends that Brexit talks move on to Phase 2 after Theresa May agrees “sufficient progress” with a rushed trip to Brussels in the early hours of Friday morning.
Read next: How much of the media does Rupert Murdoch Own?
13 December 2017
MPs pass a motion in the House of Commons which guarantees parliament a final say on the divorce deal.
30 January 2018
Buzzfeed leaks a confidential report by the UK government which states that Brexit Britain will be worse off in ‘every scenario’.
28 February 2018
The EU publishes its draft text of the withdrawal agreement, stating that Northern Ireland will be considered part of the “customs territory”, and calling for “a common regulatory area comprising the Union and the United Kingdom in respect of Northern Ireland.” Theresa May tells the House of Commons that no prime minister “could ever agree” to such terms.
7 June 2018
The U.K. sends its plan for a “time-limited” Irish backstop to the EU, after Theresa May passes it her Cabinet despite Brexiteers’ disapproval and Brexit Secretary David Davis threatening to resign.
20 June 2018
Parliament approves the European withdrawal act, repealing the European Communities Act 1972, which provided legal authority for EU law to have effect as national law in the UK.
8 July 2018
Brexit secretary David Davis resigns, protesting against Theresa May’s ‘Chequers’ proposals and overall negotiating strategy.
2 October 2018
Theresa May makes a speech at the annual Conservative party conference in Birmingham, where she vows to end freedom of movement, and bring in a new system that will mean EU citizens are treated no differently than anyone from anywhere else in the world.
14 November 2018
Theresa May’s cabinet approves the draft withdrawal agreement agreed between the UK and EU negotiators in Brussels.
15 November 2018
Dominic Raab resigns as Brexit secretary, saying he cannot support the deal reached in Brussels. May tells MPs that they face a choice between her deal, no deal, or no Brexit.
22 November 2018
The UK and EU agree to a 26-page draft political declaration, setting out the post-Brexit relationship. May calls it “the right deal for the UK”, despite negative reactions from MPs on all sides.
25 November 2018
The EU approves the Brexit deal reached with Britain. Jean Claude-Juncker calls it “the best possible” deal available. Most MPs in the UK remain opposed to the deal.
Read next: The only survival guide to the London rat race you’ll ever need
11 December 2018
The Conservative party triggers a vote of no confidence in Theresa May’s leadership, fuelled by anger at the proposed Brexit deal between the UK and EU, particularly the controversial Irish border backstop. May wins the vote, but her leadership position remains insecure.
15 January 2019
A majority of MPs vote against Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement with the European Union in the first ‘meaningful vote’.
27 March 2019
MPs hold a series of ‘indicative votes’, on a range of issues from ruling out no-deal to having a second referendum. None of the votes get a majority in favour.
2 April 2019
After three defeats to her Brexit deal, Theresa May announces she will seek a further extension to the Article 50 process, and offers to meet Jeremy Corbyn to try and reach a compromise on a deal that can pass in the Commons.
17 May 2019
Talks between Labour and the Conservative party end, without reaching a compromise on a new Brexit deal to be put to parliament.
24 May 2019
Theresa May announces she will stand down as prime minister on 7 June, after facing pressure from cabinet members and the influential 1922 committee of Conservative backbenchers.
