Day: 30 March 2017

The Three Brexiteers

Cabinet ministers David Davis, Liam Fox and Boris Johnson have been nicknamed ‘the three Brexiteers’ for their cavalier approach to the finer details of leaving the EU. The withdrawal process is ‘simple’ and at the same time ‘more complex than a game of chess’, they say, but definitely not as straightforward as a hard or soft boiled egg.

Brexit

May triggers article 50 with warning of consequence for UK

British PM addresses packed Commons minutes after European council president receives article 50 letter

UK envoy Tim Barrow (left) hands Donald Tusk the letter giving Britain’s formal exit notice.
UK envoy Tim Barrow (left) hands Donald Tusk the letter giving Britain’s formal exit notice. Photograph: Emmanuel Dunand/AP

Theresa May has told parliament that she accepts Brexit will carry consequences for the UK, as a letter delivered to Brussels began a two-year countdown to Britain’s departure from the EU.

The prime minister made a speech on triggering article 50 minutes after the European council president, Donald Tusk, confirmed he had received notification. He declared that “the UK has delivered Brexit” nine months after a bruising referendum campaign.