How Derby people feel about Brexit seven years since referendum
Brexit still gets people talking
It has been seven years since the UK voted to leave the EU.
Since 2016 the country has seen four prime ministers, a cost of living crisis, a pandemic, war in Ukraine and unfolding economic uncertainty with rising inflation and interest rates.
Seven years is a long time in politics and news of Brexit-related meetings during this period can appear to be difficult to keep up with.
We asked Derby residents what they thought about this seven-year period, what Brexit means for them and its impact, if any, on their lives.
Tom said: “It’s happened, hasn’t it? We’ve just got to get on with it.”
Debbie said: “I don’t want to get political, it’s a bit of a sore subject.”
Steve was tight-lipped when he said: “No point looking back now, what else can we do?”
Marie said: “I don’t think people would have voted leave if they had realised what it really meant.”
When asked how she voted, Marie declined to comment further.
Barry said: “I voted leave, I’m not sure how it’s going, but rising costs everywhere don’t seem to be a good sign.”
According to our straw poll, people on the streets of Derby appeared resigned to life outside the EU trading bloc.
Twelve other people, including a mix of independent businesses and patrons in two city centre pubs, were asked about their opinion on Brexit.
They refused to comment and appeared to be indifferent.
Having an opinion on Brexit can be a little problematic as it is a complex issue that people and businesses are still understanding, and coming to terms with today, seven years’ on from one of the most significant referendums in the UK’s history.
The electorate may look to the Government for answers and guidance, and rhetoric from both the Conservatives and Labour parties does appear to commit to ‘getting Brexit done’, but without seeming to provide conclusive guidance on how this will happen.
It may be seven years since the country voted to leave the EU, however the origins of Brexit go back much further.
It was then-Prime Minister David Cameron who first promised a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, which eventually led to Boris Johnson’s “oven-ready” deal in 2020.
Here is the definitive Brexit timeline that shows key dates, starting with Mr Cameron’s referendum promise in 2013, to 2019 which was the busiest year for Brexit talks that included three Government extension requests, to the present day.
Brexit timeline with key dates
● January 23, 2013: Prime Minister David Cameron promises a referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU if the Conservative Party wins the next general election in 2015
● May 7, 2015: British voters elect a majority Conservative Government, leading Mr Cameron to announce an “in/out” referendum on EU membership in his victory speech
● June 23, 2016: In a referendum that divides the country, 51.9 per cent vote to leave the EU in comparison to 48.1 per cent who vote to remain - and Mr Cameron resigns as Prime Minister
● March 29, 2017: New Prime Minister Theresa May formally triggers Article 50 and thus begins the two-year countdown to the UK formally leaving the EU
● March 20, 2019: Mrs May writes to European Council President Donald Tusk, asking to extend Article 50 until June 30, 2019
● March 21, 2019: EU27 leaders convene at a European Council meeting, agreeing to the extension
● April 2, 2019: Mrs May announces seeking a further extension to the Article 50 process and offers to meet the leader of the opposition to try and agree a deal to win support of MPs
● April 10, 2019: EU27 leaders agree to extend Article 50 until October 31, 2019, during a meeting of the European Council
● May 24, 2019: Mrs May said she will quit as Prime Minister, saying it was a matter of “deep regret” she had been unable to deliver Brexit
● July 23, 2019: Boris Johnson officially takes over as the UK's new Prime Minister and promises to “deliver Brexit”
● October 28, 2019: EU chiefs agree another Brexit extension to January 31, 2020
● December 12, 2019: Boris Johnson wins a majority in the UK General Election and reaffirms his commitment to “get Brexit done” by January 31, 2020
● January 23, 2020: The European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 receives Royal Assent
● January 31, 2020: The UK leaves the EU and enters a transition period
● December 31, 2020: The transition period ends and the UK leaves the EU single market and customs union