Brexit: The UK leaving the EU (Britain Exit)
What is Brexit? It is a word that is used as a shorthand way of saying the UK leaving the EU; merging the words Britain and exit to get Brexit, in the same way as a possible Greek exit from the euro was dubbed Grexit in the past. Why is Britain leaving the European Union? A referendum, a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age can take part - was held on Thursday 23 June 2016, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union. Leave won by 51.9% to 48.1%. The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting. What was the breakdown across the UK? England voted for Brexit, by 53.4% to 46.6%. Wales also voted for Brexit, with Leave getting 52.5% of the vote and Remain 47.5%. Scotland and Northern Ireland both backed staying in the EU. Scotland backed Remain by 62% to 38%, while 55.8% in Northern Ireland voted Remain and 44.2% Leave. What is the European Union? The European Union; often known as the EU; is an economi...