Britain’s turbulent decades in Europe

1961-63 Britain’s first attempt to join six-member Common Market (European Economic Community, EEC) is vetoed by French President Charles de Gaulle who labels UK as lacking commitment to European integration

1973 Britain joins EEC under Prime Minister Edward Heath (right), after new French president Georges Pompidou lifts veto

1975 Britain holds EEC membership referendum, 67% of people vote to remain 

1984 UK wins famous rebate from Brussels after PM Margaret Thatcher threatens to halt payments

1991 Maastricht Treaty: PM John Major secures opt-outs to Economic and Monetary Union, Area of Freedom, Justice, and Security and Social Charter on workers’ rights

1999 Euro launched in 11 of 15 EU member states
UK, Sweden and Denmark stay out of single currency

2000 Britain and Poland opt out of European Convention on Human Rights

2011 PM David Cameron clashes with Brussels over plans to restrict London’s financial sector

2012 UK opts out of EU immigration directives, with restrictions for Third Country Nationals before they can apply for family reunification

2013 Cameron attempts to renegotiate UK’s membership of EU

2016 Cameron announces referendum on Britain’s membership of EU. Britain votes 52% to 42% in favour of leaving EU, Cameron resigns

2017 Mar 13: PM Theresa May gets parliamentary approval to trigger Article 50 to leave EU


Sources: Economic & Social Research Council, BBC 

Pictures: Associated Press 

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