Theresa May, the UK Prime Minister, triggers Article 50 on March
29, 2017.
The UK will leave the EU on March 29, 2019,
come what may – although departure can in theory be delayed
in the unlikely event that the UK and all remaining EU Members
agree to delay it.
The Brexit negotiations
The Brexit negotiations can now, at last, begin. There are 2
tracks. The first covers the terms of the actual Brexit. This will
be much like a divorce settlement, although somewhat more
complicated (few divorces involve 28 noisy parties). It will cover
a vast array of issues including, who pays, how much and to whom,
for how long and on what terms.
The Brexit divorce negotiations must be concluded in 2 years
(subject to the remote possibility of all 28 parties agreeing to
extend) including ratification by the parliaments of all the
remaining Member States. If it is not, the UK drops out of the EU
anyway but with no agreed Brexit terms in place. Consequences
unknown.
