Brexit referendum

Conditions at the time

The referendum offered a choice between retaining the United Kingdom’s EU membership and leaving.

How events unfolded

In the 6/23 vote, Leave received 51.9% and Remain received 48.1%.

Stakeholders and impacts

Voters in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar, campaign organizations and electoral authorities participated in the voting process.

Information available at the time

Turnout was 72.2%, and the votes for both sides and regional results were officially counted.

Findings confirmed later

The pro-exit result became the starting point for subsequent political and negotiating processes.

Alternative interpretations and limitations

The voting date is not the date of actual departure from the EU. Changes in sterling and business investment also reflected negotiation expectations, not just the vote result.

Source-based context and interpretation

The referendum selected a direction; subsequent negotiations and legal procedures determined withdrawal terms. In 2020 the EU Council concluded an agreement separately addressing citizens' rights, financial settlement and transition. The vote did not instantly replace all customs or residency rules. ASSETCASTING interpretation: Separate political choice from enforceable business arrangements. Prices can react to negotiation expectations before contract, customs and labor-mobility costs change. Immediate market reactions do not establish the size or direction of long-term trade effects.

Evidence coverage through 2020-01-30 · Sources checked 2026-10-14

• Report on the referendum on the UK’s membership of the European Union ↗
• Brexit: Council adopts decision to conclude the withdrawal agreement ↗

Related events and periods1

• Financial-crisis response and unconventional monetary policy →

  An event or period whose recorded start falls within this editorial interval. This does not establish that it caused or represents the characteristics of the era, nor guarantee that the entire period falls within the interval.