The UK and the European Union

Impact on the UK's Political System

• Membership in the European Union (EU) significantly influenced the UK's political system.
• EU law held precedence over UK law, meaning that conflicting laws passed by Parliament were considered illegal.

Influence of EU Common Market

• The UK's participation in the European Union Common Market meant open borders with other European countries.
• It also restricted the imposition of taxes on products imported from the EU, fostering economic integration.

Concerns about EU Power

• Some UK politicians expressed dissatisfaction with the perceived level of power held by the EU over Britain.
• This dissatisfaction led to the decision to hold a referendum in June 2016 to determine the UK's continued EU membership.

Brexit Referendum (June 2016)

• In June 2016, a referendum known as BREXIT was held, allowing citizens to vote on whether the UK should remain in or leave the EU.
• The majority voted to leave, marking a significant turning point in UK-EU relations.

Process of Leaving (BREXIT)

• The process of leaving the EU became known as BREXIT, a term derived from "British EXIT."
• BREXIT involved complex negotiations to redefine the relationship between the UK and the EU.

Departure and Transition Period

• The UK officially left the EU on the 31st of January 2020.
• A transition period followed, concluding on the 31st of December 2020, during which the UK and EU negotiated new arrangements.

---

The UK and the European Union

Changes Post-BREXIT

• Post-BREXIT, the UK regained control over its laws and borders.
• It allowed for the implementation of independent trade policies and decisions on immigration.

Conclusion:

The UK's membership in the EU significantly shaped its political and economic landscapes. Concerns about EU power led to the BREXIT referendum, resulting in the UK's departure from the EU on January 31, 2020. The subsequent transition period allowed for negotiations on new arrangements, marking a significant chapter in UK-EU relations