Brexit & David Cameron

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D

uring his campaign to run for a second term as prime minister, David Cameron promised to hold a referendum on whether or not to keep the UK in the European Union from 2017 henceforth. Promise held after a European Council devoted to the issue in February 2016: the head of government announced

that the referendum would be held on June 23, 2016.

      With 51.9% of the vote, the "Leave" camp won on polling day. The participation was above

72%, a record for the country. David Cameron, who had campaigned for the country's retention in the European Union, chose to resign a few days after the result. He was replaced by the former States Secretary Theresa May.[pic 4]        David Cameron and Theresa May during the referendum.

                                The United Kingdom is therefore preparing to leave the European Union - a process that must end in March 2019, after two years of complex negotiations between the country and the 27 other member states.[pic 5]

   The political consequences of Brexit for the European Union are difficult to predict. For some, the exit of the United Kingdom is a

catastrophe: indeed, the European Union is losing one of its three great powers, one of the most important financial places in the world, the first diplomatic partner of the United States in Europe as well than one of the only European states maintaining a consistent regular army.

    For others, it can help to unite the Union: the Unite Kingdom is historically one of the least favourable 22

countries for European integration, its exit may

encourage other states to move forward. In parallel with the negotiations with the United Kingdom, the Twenty-Seven have begun to reflect on the future of the European Union, which could lead to a number of institutional reforms.

    Among the hot topics being negotiated is the EU exit bill. The United Kingdom could have to pay up to 60 billion euros to the European budget, an amount that corresponds to London's commitments until the end of the budget cycle in 2020.

Finally, the economic consequences for the United Kingdom are also unpredictable, as the experts did not speak with one voice. Despite the fall of the pound sterling in the months following the June 2016 referendum, the UK economy has not suffered any significant damage so far, as the exit from the European Union has not yet taken place.

Up to now the negotiations are very tough and the future will tell us more

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