United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union

United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union, often shortened to Brexit (short for British exit) is a political aim of some political parties, advocacy groups, and individuals in the United Kingdom (UK) for the country to leave the European Union (EU). In 1975 a referendum was held on the country's membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), a precursor to the EU. The outcome of the vote was that the country continued to be a member of the EEC. More recently the European Union Referendum Act 2015 has been passed to allow for a referendum on the country's membership of the EU, with a vote due to be held before the end of 2017.

History

The United Kingdom joined the EEC, commonly referred to as the Common Market in the UK, on 1 January 1973. This was done under the Conservative government of Edward Heath. The opposition Labour Party, led by Harold Wilson, contested the October 1974 general election with a commitment to renegotiate Britain's terms of membership of the EEC and then hold a referendum on whether to remain in the EEC on the new terms.