In 2015, Parliament voted to put the choice of whether to leave or remain in the European Union into the hands of the British people in passing the European Union Referendum Act. The then Government wrote to every household, committing to implement the outcome of that vote.

On 23 June 2016 17.4 million people voted to leave the European Union. This is the highest number of votes cast for any single course of action in UK electoral history. In the 2017 General Election over 80% of those who voted backed parties whose manifestos committed to upholding the result of the referendum.

This Government has negotiated a deal with the EU that respects the result of the referendum and ensures that we take back control of our laws, trade, borders and money without disruption. This deal also provides the basis for a new relationship with the EU based on free trade and friendly cooperation.

Department for Exiting the European Union