Key dates on Britain’s road to Brexit

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is moving ahead with Brexit, and wants to negotiate a trade deal with the European Union by the end of 2020


2019 DEC

Dec 12: 2020 Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party wins large election majority

Dec 19: State opening of Parliament. Prime Minister planning to present his Withdrawal Agreement Bill to House of Commons on following day

2020 JAN

Jan: Bill debated and eventually passed into law. EU Parliament expected to ratify
withdrawal agreement

Jan 31: UK due to leave EU. Start of transition period. UK-EU relations virtually unchanged to allow time to agree new free trade deal

FEB 
MAR 

Mar: Negotiations with EU on free trade agreement expected to begin. Michel Barnier (right) to lead EU team
Talks will also need to cover security, data sharing and foreign policy issues

APR
MAY
JUN

Jun: UK and EU “high-level” conference to take stock of progress on negotiations. Deadline for UK request to extend transition period by end of month 

JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC

Dec 31: End of transition period unless extended

2021 JAN

Jan 1: Any new deal reached with Brussels takes effect. If no deal is reached, trade
reverts to WTO rules, with likelihood of tariffs and checks on goods


Source: Reuters
Pictures: Associated Press
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