SBS50: Biggest Story 2016

In 2016 one of the biggest stories was Brexit. The referendum on whether Britain should leave membership of the European Union, was promised in 2015 by then Conservative Party Prime Minister David Cameron as a re-election commitment.

epa05260723 London Mayor Boris Johnson speaks during a 'Vote Leave' campaign event in Manchester, Britain, 15 April 2016. Britain will vote in an EU referendum on 23 June whether to stay in or to leave the EU. EPA/NIGEL RODDIS Credit: NIGEL RODDIS/EPA

Leave campaigners argued exiting gives Britian more sovereignty over laws, regulations, and border controls, creates trade opportunities and would save billions.

Sovereignty is the people’s ability, the ability of the public to control their lives and to make sure that the people that they elect can are able to pass the laws that matter to them

Boris Johnson

While Remain supporters argued staying brings greater security, influence, business investment, jobs and trade under the single market.

So our membership is right for Britain, it gives us the trade, it gives us the cooperation, it helps us work with other countries to get what we want.

David Cameron

In June voters approved to leave the European Union by 51 to 48 percent.

The result led Prime Minister David Cameron to resign from office.

It would take another four years of negotiations with the EU to agree on a withdrawal deal, which was passed by Parliament in January 2020.

Discover more at sbs.com.au/sbs50