Policy Paper: The process for withdrawing from the European Union (Cm 9216)

This document sets out the process that would follow a vote for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union in the referendum on the 23 June 2016, and the prospects for negotiations. The rules for exit are set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union. This is the only lawful route available to withdraw from the EU.

Alternative models for the UK’s relationship with the EU after exit will be examined in a separate document.

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: PM's statement following Cabinet meeting on EU settlement: 20 February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/pms-statement-following-cabinet-meeting-on-eu-settlement-20-february-2016/

GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Speech, 23.02.16: PM speech at O2 on the EU referendum: 23 February 2016 https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-speech-at-o2-on-the-eu-referendum-23-february-2016

GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Policy Paper: The best of both worlds: the United Kingdom's special status in a reformed European Union, February 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-best-of-both-worlds-the-united-kingdoms-special-status-in-a-reformed-european-union/

BBC News, 29.02.16: EU referendum: Row over '10 years of uncertainty' claim http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-35685656

The Guardian, 28.02.16: If Britain voted to leave the EU, what would happen next? http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/feb/28/if-britain-voted-to-leave-the-eu-what-would-happen-next

European Parliament: European Parliamentary Research Service: Briefing, 2016: Article 50 TEU: Withdrawal of a Member State from the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/article-50-teu-withdrawal-of-a-member-state-from-the-eu/

Blog: Open Europe, 29.02.16: Would Brexit lead to 'up to a decade or more of uncertainty'? http://openeurope.org.uk/today/blog/would-brexit-lead-to-decade-or-more-of-uncertainty/

Politico, 02.03.16: A long, costly and messy divorce http://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-eu-divorce-uk-cameron/

The Conversation, 03.03.16: The EU holds the trump card – if the UK wants a friendly Brexit deal, free movement of people will have to continue https://theconversation.com/the-eu-holds-the-trump-card-if-the-uk-wants-a-friendly-brexit-deal-free-movement-of-people-will-have-to-continue-55262

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