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Timeline: From UK's entry into EEC to exiting EU

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London, June 24: The United Kingdom (UK) in a historic referendum on Friday (June 23) decided to quit the European Union (EU). The decision left the political and economic worlds stunned and UK Prime Minister David Cameron expressed his will to resign within three months.

In the referendum, 52 per cent voted in favour of Leave campaign while the rest went in favour of the Remain campaign. However, countries like Scotland and Northern Ireland voted overwhlemingly in favour of Remain besides the capital---London. England and Wales, on the other hand, mostly favoured Leave.

uk flag

When did the UK/Great Britain become the member of the EU?

Here we have a look at a brief timeline from the time Britain had applied for a membership of the European body till the Brexit.

August 1961: Britain made a formal application to join the European Economic Community (EEC), predecessor of the EU. Conservative Harold Macmillan was the prime minister of Britain then.

January 1963: The then French president Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's entry into the body, saying it was not ready.

November 1967: Charles de Gaulle vetoes Britain's entry into the European body yet again.

January 1973: Britain finally makes it to the EEC, along with Ireland and Denmark. Charles de Gaulle had left the office by then.

June 1975: Slightly more than 67 per cent of Britain's voters spoke in favour of joining the EU in a referendum.

November 1979: The then British PM Margaret Thatcher demanded a rebate on her country's contribution to the European budget. Her phrase "I want my money back" became a memorable part of the speech she made on the issue.

November 1990: Thatcher forced to resign as PM as many thought her lack of conviction about Europe saw Britain's influence diminishing.

February 1992: Treaty of Maastricht was signed, paving the way for the EU. The British, however, decided not to adopt Euro---the common currency of the EU.

July 1993: The then British PM John Major held a confidence motion in his government over the Maastricht Treaty following a major infighting in his Conservative Party over Europe.

January 2013: British PM David Cameron promised a referendum on his country's membership of the EU if his party---the Conservatives---won the next general election.

May 2014: The anti-EU UK Independence Party led by Niger Farage topped the European Parliament elections with over 26 per cent of votes and secured 24 seats.

May 2015: The Conservatives won the general election in Britain comprehensively.

February 2016: After negotiating key reforms in Brussels, Cameron declared that the referendum would be held on June 23.

June 2016: Britain votes in favour of Brexit, i.e. exit from the EU.

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