65-695: Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union Better Off Out (BOO) is the name of a non-party campaign that called for the United Kingdom (UK)'s withdrawal from the European Union (EU) . It is run by The Freedom Association , a pressure group that describes itself as non-partisan, centre-right and libertarian , and has links to the Conservative Party , The Brexit Party and UK Independence Party (UKIP). The campaign
130-557: A European Federation , a proposal which was not being considered at European level. Until 2018, the far-right National Rally advocated for France to leave the EU. However, shortly after the party's renaming (from Front National ), the party leader Marine Le Pen ruled out that policy, proposing instead to focus on changing the European Union's institutions. The Popular Republican Union and The Patriots party support France leaving
195-672: A referendum on the issue in 2016 ; the electorate decided by a 3.8% majority to favour leaving the European Union. On 29 March 2017, arising from a decision by the Parliament of the United Kingdom , Prime Minister Theresa May invoked Article 50 in a letter to the president of the European Council , Donald Tusk . The UK ceased to be an EU member state as from 00:00, 1 February 2020 Central European Time ( UTC+1 ) (23:00, 31 January 2020 Western European Time ( GMT , UTC+0 ). Following
260-566: A bilateral treaty was agreed to between Algeria and the EEC which formalized the EEC's relationship with Algeria as a neighbouring state in association with the Community, and not a part of the Community. Greenland chose to leave the EU predecessor without separating from Denmark. It initially voted against joining the EEC when Denmark joined in 1973, but because Denmark as a whole voted to join, Greenland, as
325-513: A county of Denmark , joined too. When home rule for Greenland began in 1979, it held a new referendum and voted to leave the EEC. After wrangling over fishing rights, the territory left the EEC in 1985, but remains subject to the EU treaties through association of Overseas Countries and Territories with the EU. This was permitted by the Greenland Treaty , a special treaty signed in 1984 to allow its withdrawal. Saint Pierre and Miquelon ,
390-464: A desire to "obtain a European status which would be better suited to its status under domestic law, particularly given its remoteness from the mainland , its small insular economy largely devoted to tourism and subject to difficulties in obtaining supplies which hamper the application of some European Union standards ." France, reflecting this desire, requested at the European Council to change
455-472: A limited number of member states to co-operate within the EU if others are blocking integration in that field. Chapter 1 of this title includes articles 21 and 22. Article 21 deals with the principles that outline EU foreign policy; including compliance with the UN charter , promoting global trade, humanitarian support and global governance. Article 22 gives the European Council, acting unanimously, control over defining
520-477: A main goal to withdraw Italy from the European Union. In the Netherlands, the main party advocating for a withdrawal is Forum for Democracy , additionally Party for Freedom also supports a withdrawal from the European Union. In Poland, the far-right party Confederation Liberty and Independence is against the membership of the country in the European Union. Following the 2023 Polish parliamentary election ,
585-454: A territory of France, used to be part of the EU but left on 11 June 1985. Saint Martin and Saint-Barthélemy in 2007 separated from Guadeloupe ( overseas department of France and outermost region (OMR) of the EU) and became overseas collectivities of France, but at the same time remained OMRs of the European Union. Later, the elected representatives of the island of Saint-Barthélemy expressed
650-600: Is not yet a deed and intentions can change before the deed is done. Until the Scottish Government did so in late 2018, the issue had been untested in court. On 10 December 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that it would be “inconsistent with the EU treaties’ purpose of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe to force the withdrawal of a member state” against its wishes, and that consequently an Article 50 notification may be revoked unilaterally by
715-573: Is to be approved on the EU side by the Council of the EU, acting by qualified majority , after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament . For the agreement to pass the Council of the EU it needs to be approved by at least 72 percent of the continuing member states representing at least 65 percent of their population. The agreement is concluded on behalf of the Union by the council and must set out
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#1732858677955780-571: The 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum , Better Off Out was supported by a number of Conservative Members of Parliament including Peter Bone , Christopher Chope , David T C Davies , Philip Davies , Gordon Henderson , Philip Hollobone , David Nuttall , Heather Wheeler , Andrew Percy , Laurence Robertson and Richard Shepherd . There are a number of Conservative former members of parliament who supported Better Off Out. The former Labour MP for Great Grimsby , Austin Mitchell
845-586: The Social Liberal Party (15%) and The Alternative (20%). Occasionally, polls about a choice between the EU and a Nordic cooperation have shown equally divided support; a 2020 poll showed 39% support for each alternative. In a 2019 poll, the same question showed 42.7% support for the Nordic option and 40.5% for the EU option. In Finland, the Finns Party says the country should leave the EU should it become
910-586: The Treaty of Lisbon (2007), the older form of the same document was implemented by the Maastricht Treaty (1992). After the preamble the consolidated treaty text is divided into six parts. The first deals with common provisions. Article 1 establishes the European Union, formally replacing the European Community, declares a "process of creating an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe", and lays out
975-456: The Treaty of Lisbon which entered into force in 2009. Prior to this, no provision in the treaties or law of the EU outlined the ability of a state to voluntarily withdraw from the EU. The absence of such a provision made withdrawal technically difficult but not impossible. Legally there were two interpretations of whether a state could leave. The first, that sovereign states have a right to withdraw from their international commitments; and
1040-719: The UK Parliament's decisions not to ratify the Brexit withdrawal agreement negotiated between the European Council and the UK government, several extensions of the deadline were agreed. Following a decisive election victory for Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Conservative Party in December 2019, the UK Parliament ratified the European Union (Withdrawal Agreement) Act 2020 , approving
1105-550: The common market and opt-in/opt-out solutions was reflected in the slogan Mere Danmark, mindre EU ("More Denmark, less EU"). In 2020, the party proclaimed a strengthening of its anti-EU stance. The left-wing Red Green Alliance which is the 3rd largest party in the country, still officially opposes EU membership, but its members are divided on the issue. In the European Parliament, the Danish People's Movement against
1170-465: The withdrawal agreement was ratified by the Parliament of the United Kingdom , and on 29 January 2020 by the European Parliament. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020 at 23:00 GMT, ending 47 years of membership. Four territories of EU member states have withdrawn: French Algeria (in 1962, upon independence ), Greenland (in 1985, following a referendum ), Saint Pierre and Miquelon (also in 1985, unilaterally) and Saint Barthélemy (in 2012),
1235-616: The British Government "does not know for sure" whether Article 50 is revocable; the British prime minister [then Theresa May ] "does not intend" to reverse it. Extension of the two years time from notification to exit from the union, still requires unanimous support from all member countries, that is clearly stated in Article 50(3). Should a former member state seek to rejoin the European Union after having actually left, it would be subject to
1300-598: The EU was represented from the first direct elections in 1979 until 2019. The Unity List is a collective member of The People's Movement and used to only participate in European Elections as candidates for The People's Movement. At the 2019 EP Election the Unity List participated independently and gained a seat, in an electoral alliance with The People's Movement who lost their seat. Former MEP for The People's Movement Rina Ronja Kari resigned her personal membership of
1365-480: The EU (including concerning the euro ) when so much European law is codified in member states' laws. However, the process of Article 50 also includes a strong implication of unilateral right to withdraw. This is through the fact the state would decide "in accordance with its own constitutional requirements" and that the end of the treaties' application in said state is not dependent on any agreement being reached (it would occur after two years regardless). In other words,
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#17328586779551430-512: The EU institution competent to this purpose, namely the CJEU . In addition the European Commission considers that Article 50 does not provide for the unilateral withdrawal of the notification. Lord Kerr, the British author of Article 50, also considers the process is reversible as does Jens Dammann. Professor Stephen Weatherill disagrees. Former Brexit Secretary David Davis has stated that
1495-519: The EU's foreign policy. Chapter 2 is further divided into sections. The first, common provisions, details the guidelines and functioning of the EU's foreign policy, including establishment of the European External Action Service and member state's responsibilities. Section 2, articles 42 to 46, deal with military co-operation (including mutual defence). On 17 November 2015, France called other member states for military assistance, on
1560-516: The EU, shows that the UK was a clear outlier and no other state is likely to leave the EU in the foreseeable future. In Bulgaria, the far-right Revival party, and third largest party in the National Assembly as of 2023, supports either "renegotiation" for special status within the EU, or withdrawal. Additionally, other smaller non-parliamentary parties, mostly from the coalition Neutral Bulgaria support withdrawal, such as Attack who called
1625-429: The EU. As of 2024, no country other than the United Kingdom has voted on whether to withdraw from the EU. Political parties criticizing the federative trend of the European Union and advocating withdrawal have gained prominence in several member states since the European Parliament election in 2014 , similarly to the rise of UKIP in the United Kingdom. The EU Exit Index, which measures the risk of member states leaving
1690-422: The EU. In Greece, Greek Solution is campaigning for a withdrawal, as was Golden Dawn . As a result of the approval of an anti-LGBT law , it has been suggested that Hungary should leave the EU. Currently, Our Homeland Movement is the only party that has proposed doing so through a referendum. In July 2020, Italian journalist and senator Gianluigi Paragone formed Italexit , a new political party with
1755-529: The European Council. The leaving agreement is negotiated on behalf of the EU by the European Commission on the basis of a mandate given by the remaining Member States, meeting in the Council of the European Union . It must set out the arrangements for withdrawal, taking account of the framework for the member state's future relationship with the EU, though without itself settling that framework. The agreement
1820-601: The European Union and the European Convention on Human Rights . Article 7 deals with the suspension of a member state and article 8 deals with establishing close relations with neighbouring states. Article 9 establishes the equality of national citizens and citizenship of the European Union . Article 10 declares that the EU is founded in representative democracy and that decisions must be taken as closely as possible to citizens. It makes reference to European political parties and how citizens are represented: directly in
1885-571: The European Union , alongside the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). The TEU forms the basis of EU law , by setting out general principles of the EU's purpose, the governance of its central institutions (such as the Commission, Parliament, and Council), as well as the rules on external, foreign and security policy. While the current version of the TEU entered into force in 2009, following
1950-589: The European Union can not block a member state from leaving. If negotiations do not result in a ratified agreement, the withdrawing country leaves without an agreement, and the EU Treaties shall cease to apply to the withdrawing country, without any substitute or transitional arrangements being put in place. As regards trade, the parties would likely follow World Trade Organization rules on tariffs . Article 50 does not spell out whether member states can rescind their notification of their intention to withdraw during
2015-555: The European Union) states, "a revocation of notification needs to be subject to conditions set by all EU-27, so that it cannot be used as a procedural device or abused in an attempt to improve on the current terms of the United Kingdom’s membership." The European Union Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs has stated that a hypothetical right of revocation can only be examined and confirmed or infirmed by
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2080-546: The New Right wanted withdrawal and other 50 % were eurosceptic ("remain in the EU, but the EU should have less influence on Danish conditions"). Among voters of the Danish People's party, the numbers were 18% and 57%, and of the Unity List, 11% and 42%, respectively. In all other parties, withdrawal was supported by 5% of voters or less, but there was substantial euroscepticism (between 26 and 32%), although less among voters of
2145-455: The Parliament and by their governments in the Council and European Council – accountable to national parliaments . Article 11 establishes government transparency, declares that broad consultations must be made and introduces provision for a petition where at least 1 million citizens may petition the Commission to legislate on a matter. Article 12 gives national parliaments limited involvement in
2210-452: The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. This provision does not cover certain overseas territories which under TFEU Article 355 do not require a full treaty revision. Thus, once a member state has notified the European Council of its intention to leave, a period begins during which a withdrawal agreement is negotiated, setting out the arrangements for the withdrawal and outlining
2275-509: The United Kingdom is the only state to have withdrawn from membership of the European Union. The process to do so began when the UK Government triggered Article 50 to begin the UK's withdrawal from the EU on 29 March 2017 following a June 2016 referendum , and the withdrawal was scheduled in law to occur on 29 March 2019. Subsequently, the UK sought, and was granted, a number of Article 50 extensions until 31 January 2020. On 23 January 2020,
2340-534: The United Nations . The final sixth point states that the EU shall pursue these objectives by "appropriate means" according with its competences given in the treaties. Article 4 relates to member states' sovereignty and obligations. Article 5 sets out the principles of conferral , subsidiarity and proportionality with respect to the limits of its powers. Article 6 binds the EU to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of
2405-505: The Unity List. Opinion polls have mostly shown that Danes are pro EU membership, but eurosceptic . A 2018 opinion poll suggested that while a minority of Danes wanted withdrawal (12% "to a high degree" and 16% "to some degree"), a large majority were against abolishing the opt-outs (57 % against and 22 % for the euro; 42 % against and 30 % for defense cooperation; 47 % against and 22 % for judicial cooperation). A 2019 opinion poll showed that 37 % of voters of
2470-594: The academics Ruth Lea , Patrick Minford and Alan Walters . In March 2007 the Conservative Central Office warned its party membership that BOO was contrary to Conservative Party policy. Withdrawal from the European Union Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) provides for the possibility of an EU member state leaving the European Union "in accordance with its own constitutional requirements". Currently,
2535-399: The aims of the EU in six points. The first is simply to promote peace, European values and its citizens' well-being. The second relates to free movement with external border controls in place. Point 3 deals with the internal market . Point 4 establishes the euro. Point 5 states the EU shall promote its values, contribute to eradicating poverty, observe human rights and respect the charter of
2600-484: The arrangements for withdrawal, including a framework for the State's future relationship with the Union, negotiated in accordance with Article 218(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union . The agreement is to be approved by the council, acting by qualified majority , after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament . Should a former member state seek to rejoin the European Union, it would be subject to
2665-417: The basis of the Article 42. This was the first time the article had ever been applied and all of the member states were reported to respond in agreement. However at least one member state (Finland) made a conclusion that due to conflicting national law, military assistance was excluded. Article 47 establishes a legal personality for the EU. Article 48 deals with the method of treaty amendment; specifically
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2730-430: The country's future relationship with the Union. Commencing the process is up to the member state that intends to leave. The article allows for a negotiated withdrawal, due to the complexities of leaving the EU. However, it does include in it a strong implication of a unilateral right to withdraw. This is through the fact that a state would decide to withdraw "in accordance with its own constitutional requirements" and that
2795-545: The creation of Article 50. Article 50, which allows a member state to withdraw, was originally drafted by British cross-bench peer and former diplomat Lord Kerr of Kinlochard , the secretary-general of the European Convention , which drafted the Constitutional Treaty for the European Union . Following the failure of the ratification process for the European Constitution, the clause was incorporated into
2860-479: The end of the treaties' application in a member state that intends to withdraw is not dependent on any agreement being reached (it would occur after two years regardless). The treaties cease to apply to the member state concerned on the entry into force of the withdrawal agreement or, in the absence of such an agreement, two years after the member state notified the European Council of its intention to leave, although this period can be extended by unanimous agreement of
2925-417: The latter three becoming Overseas Countries and Territories of the European Union. The states who were set to accede to the EU in 2004 pushed for an exit right during the 2002–2003 European Convention. The acceding states wanted the option to exit the EU in the event that EU membership would adversely affect them. During negotiations, eurosceptics in states such as the UK and Denmark subsequently pushed for
2990-429: The legal value of the treaties. Article 2 states that the EU is "founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities". The member states share a "society in which pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, justice, solidarity and equality between women and men prevail". Article 3 then states
3055-517: The legislative process. Article 13 establishes the institutions in the following order and under the following names: the European Parliament , the European Council , the Council , the European Commission , the Court of Justice of the European Union , the European Central Bank and the Court of Auditors . It obliges co-operation between these and limits their competencies to the powers within
3120-407: The negotiation period while their country is still a member of the European Union. However, the president of the European Council said to the European Parliament on 24 October 2017 that “deal, no deal or no Brexit” is up to Britain. Indeed, the prevailing legal opinion among EU law experts and the EU institutions themselves is that a member state intending to leave may change its mind, as an “intention”
3185-402: The notifying member without the permission of the other EU members, provided the state has not already left the EU, and provided the revocation is decided “following a democratic process in accordance with national constitutional requirements”. The European Parliament resolution of 5 April 2017 (on negotiations with the United Kingdom following its notification that it intends to withdraw from
3250-451: The ordinary and simplified revision procedures. Article 49 deals with applications to join the EU and Article 50 with withdrawal . In the aftermath of the Brexit vote in the UK on 23 June 2016, the United Kingdom formally invoked Article 50 in March 2017, giving notice that it would leave the EU within two years. Article 51 deals with the protocols attached to the treaties and article 52 with
3315-545: The party has eighteen (out of 460) members of the Sejm , zero members of the Senate, zero members of the European Parliament and one member of a Regional Assembly - this being an increase of seven members in the Sejm and one in regional assemblies since the previous election . Treaty on European Union The Treaty on the European Union (2007) is one of the primary Treaties of
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#17328586779553380-527: The politicians who signed the treaty to join the EU "traitors." In Czechia, the far-right Freedom and Direct Democracy opposes Czech membership of the European Union. In the Danish Parliament , the national conservative New Right party opposes Denmark's membership in the EU. The ideologically similar Danish People's Party in principle opposes EU membership, but has since 2001 in practice supported pro-EU right-wing coalitions. The party's support of
3445-547: The process of changing their status so that, instead of EU law applying fully or with limited exceptions, EU law mostly will not apply. The process also occurs in the opposite direction, as formal enlargements of the union occur. The procedure for implementing such changes was made easier by the Treaty of Lisbon . Algeria joined the European Communities as an integral part of the French Republic , since legally it
3510-420: The same conditions as any other applicant country and need to negotiate a Treaty of Accession, ratified by every member state. TFEU Article 355 (6), introduced by the Treaty of Lisbon allows the status of French, Dutch and Danish overseas territories to be changed more easily, by no longer requiring a full treaty revision. Instead, the European Council may, on the initiative of the member state concerned, change
3575-424: The same conditions as any other applicant country. Remaining members of the EU would need to manage consequential changes over the EU's budgets , voting allocations and policies brought about by the withdrawal of any member state. This system provides for a negotiated withdrawal, rather than an abrupt exit from the Union. This preference for a negotiated withdrawal is based on the expected complexities of leaving
3640-516: The second, the treaties are for an unlimited period, with no provision for withdrawal and calling for an "ever closer union" – such commitment to unification is incompatible with a unilateral withdrawal. The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties states where a party wants to withdraw unilaterally from a treaty that is silent on such procedure, there are only two cases where withdrawal is allowed: where all parties recognise an informal right to do so and where
3705-418: The situation has changed so drastically, that the obligations of a signatory have been radically transformed. Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union , enacted by the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, introduced for the first time a procedure for a member state to withdraw voluntarily from the EU. The article states that: A qualified majority shall be defined in accordance with Article 238(3)(b) of
3770-472: The smaller Traditional Unionist Voice , including William Ross and former MEP Jim Allister . Former UKIP MP Douglas Carswell , and former MP Mark Reckless , are signatories. The Conservative MEPs at the time of the referendum David Campbell-Bannerman , Roger Helmer (who has since left the Conservative party and joined UKIP) and Daniel Hannan had also signed. Other non-political supporters include
3835-489: The status of Saint Barthélemy to an overseas country or territory (OCT) associated with the European Union. The status change came into effect from 1 January 2012. The UK formally left the EU on 31 January 2020, following on a public vote held in June 2016. However, the country benefited from a transition period to give time to negotiate a trade deal between the UK and the EU . The British government led by David Cameron held
3900-505: The status of an overseas country or territory (OCT) to an outermost region (OMR) or vice versa. Some former territories of European Union members broke formal links with the EU when they gained independence from their ruling country or were transferred to an EU non-member state. Most of these territories were not classed as part of the EU, but were at most associated with OCT status, and EC laws were generally not in force in these countries. Some current territories changed or are in
3965-491: The terms of withdrawal as formally agreed between the UK government and the EU Commission. After the European Parliament ratified the agreement on 29 January, the United Kingdom withdrew from the European Union at 23:00 London time (GMT) on 31 January 2020, with a withdrawal agreement in place. Several states have political parties represented in national assemblies or the European Parliament that advocate withdrawal from
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#17328586779554030-549: The treaties. Article 14 deals with the workings of Parliament and its election, article 15 with the European Council and its president, article 16 with the Council and its configurations and article 17 with the Commission and its appointment. Article 18 establishes the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and article 19 establishes the Court of Justice. Title 4 has only one article which allows
4095-484: Was also a supporter. There were a number of Democratic Unionist Party MPs and Members of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly , including their leader Peter Robinson and former leader Ian Paisley . Others include Gregory Campbell , Nigel Dodds , Jeffrey Donaldson , Dr. William McCrea , Ian Paisley, Jr. , Jim Shannon , David Simpson and Sammy Wilson as well as prominent members of
4160-502: Was formed in 2006 and is based in Cheltenham , England. The patrons of the campaign include Lord Tebbit , the former chairman of the Conservative Party as well as author Frederick Forsyth CBE and Professor Tim Congdon CBE , an economist and former UKIP PPC . Lord Weatherill , the former Speaker of the House of Commons , was also a patron of the campaign until his death. Prior to
4225-463: Was not an overseas territory of France but rather one of its overseas departments . Upon its independence in 1962, Algeria ceased to be part of France. However, the implications of Algeria's independence on its relationship with the EEC was legally unresolved, since the Treaty of Rome , which explicitly referred to Algeria by name as subject to the treaty's provisions, was not immediately amended. In 1976
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