Brexit Guide: where are we now?

By Alasdair Sandford • last updated: 04/09/2019 - 10:07

REUTERS/Simon Dawson

This article is updated regularly as events unfold.

The United Kingdom is due to leave the European Union — an economic and political partnership of 28 countries — bringing to an end 46 years of British membership.

Brexit is set to be the most important constitutional shake-up the UK has known since it joined the six-nation European Economic Community in 1973, and represents the first time the European institution has lost a member.

The process has plunged the UK into its worst political and constitutional crisis since the Second World War. The country had been due to leave the EU on March 29, 2019, but the revised departure date is now October 31 after gridlock in parliament twice forced the government to seek an extension.

The delay forced the resignation of Prime Minister Theresa May, now replaced by Boris Johnson. His stance in the early days of his premiership has led many to believe that a withdrawal deal with the EU may be all but impossible to achieve, raising the prospect of a disruptive UK departure with no agreement in place.

The UK voted to leave the EU by 52% to 48% in a June 2016 referendum. The result has increased strains between the UK's individual countries: England (53%) and Wales (52.5%) voted to leave, whereas Scotland and Northern Ireland voted by 62% and 56% respectively to remain in the EU.

Described as largely an English nationalist project — although factors such as austerity and frustration with traditional politics undoubtedly came into play — Brexit plays into a wider debate concerning the role of the nation state in an age of globalisation. Many are concerned that it has shifted attention from major global challenges, not least the battle to contain climate change.

For many in Europe, the prospect of an institutionalised rift between the UK and the EU weakens the continent at a time when the likes of America, China and Russia are becoming increasingly assertive.

The latest developments (to September 4):

Boris Johnson seeks early election after losing key Brexit vote in parliament

Boris Johnson loses parliamentary majority after MP Phillip Lee defects to Lib Dems

‘No to no-deal Brexit’: the 21 Tory rebels who defied Boris Johnson

Rebel lawmakers unveil bill to stop no-deal Brexit

Brexit: What might happen in the biggest parliamentary week for decades?

Johnson defeated as MPs move to block a no-deal Brexit

The predicted showdown between government and lawmakers (MPs) duly took place when parliament resumed after the summer recess. On Tuesday (September 3) MPs voted to take control of the agenda, in a major defeat for the new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

This came about thanks to an alliance of opposition politicians and 21 rebels from the ruling Conservative Party opposed to a no-deal Brexit. It paves the way for MPs to introduce a bill seeking another extension of the UK's EU membership.

Johnson responded by vowing to seek an early general election in mid-October, which would have to be approved by two-thirds of MPs. The prime minister's pffice said the Tory rebels would be expelled from the parliamentary party.

The new prime minister — who insists the UK must leave the EU on October 31 come what may — says he wants to change the withdrawal agreement that had been struck by the previous government with the EU, but repeatedly rejected by the UK parliament.

But the new government's demands are seen as unrealistic, its proposals bare, and the EU has consistently ruled out a renegotiation. Many believe Johnson's real intention is to leave the EU without a deal, or force a general election, or both.

He has sparked fury among opponents of a no-deal Brexit by announcing plans to suspend parliament for five weeks in September and October, reducing the time available for lawmakers (MPs) to try to block such a scenario. It sparked protests across the country, and several legal challenges to the move have been launched.

Can a no—deal Brexit be stopped?

In the absence of an alternative agreement, the default legal position is that the UK will leave the EU on the revised scheduled departure date of October 31.

If his attempt at renegotiation fails, Boris Johnson has repeatedly said he is determined to respect that deadline and take the UK out of the EU without a deal — a stance which won him strong support among party's members, but which many say would be disastrous.

However, the government's slim majority in parliament has now been wiped out after the defection to the Liberal Democrats of MP Phillip Lee, followed by the threatened expulsion of the Tory rebels. A majority of MPs are opposed to a "no-deal" Brexit.

The law aimed at preventing such a scenario would force the government to seek a further Brexit delay of three months. European leaders would need to approve unanimously an extension to the UK's membership.

But time is tight, and no-deal opponents have a mountain to climb to pass legislation. Whether they can stop a no-deal Brexit from happening has become even more uncertain, given Johnson's plan to prorogue parliament from mid-September. The prime minister and his supporters deny the suspension is for political reasons, arguing that a new session of parliament is needed for a new government agenda.

The original plan of opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was bring about the Johnson government's downfall, whereby he would head a temporary government in order to delay Brexit and call a general election. However, there was hostility to his leadership among other opposition parties.

Now Labour and other opposition parties are in something of a dilemma over the prospect of a general election. Some believe that this is a scenario that Johnson and his team are actively seeking — and that they may look to delay a public vote until after the UK has already left the EU.

What is Standing Order 24? | Euronews Answers

Is Boris Johnson's proroguing of UK parliament lawful?

Jeremy Corbyn: Britain's prime minister in waiting?

The key dates ahead:

September 12 — October 14: the likely period when parliament will be suspended.

September 29 — October 2: the Conservative Party conference takes place a month before the UK's revised EU exit date.

October 17—18: the last scheduled EU summit before Brexit day.

October 31: the new date when the UK is due to leave the EU.

'Do or die': what is Boris Johnson's Brexit stance?

The UK's stance towards Brexit has taken on a distinctly harder edge with Boris Johnson inside Number 10 Downing Street, raising the likelihood that the country will leave the EU without a withdrawal deal in the autumn.

The former foreign secretary and London mayor took over the reins after winning the Conservative Party leadership contest. He signalled immediately a reinvigorated drive to take the UK out of the EU on October 31, "no ifs or buts", and appointing prominent Brexiteers to key posts in his new cabinet.

Johnson took some by surprise with a demand for the Irish backstop to be removed from the negotiated withdrawal deal — a demand that was quickly rebuffed by the EU. The prime minister followed up with a formal plea in August, arguing that the backstop is anti-democratic and inconsistent with UK sovereignty.

The backstop is essentially an insurance policy to avoid a hard border — such as border posts — and protect the cross-frontier economy between Northern Ireland (part of the UK) and the Republic of Ireland (part of the EU), post-Brexit. In the absence of a free trade deal it would keep the UK close — and Northern Ireland even closer — to the EU.

The withdrawal deal was negotiated by London and Brussels over an 18-month period and approved by the 27 other EU governments in November 2018 — before being rejected three times by the British parliament.

In late July a senior UK minister stated that the government was working on the assumption that the European Union would not renegotiate its Brexit deal. There are plans to ramp up no-deal preparations, with more funds promised.

Running parallel to the Brexit saga has been the UK's evolving relationship with the United States, with which Britain hopes to strike a future trade deal. Boris Johnson met President Donald Trump at a G7 summit and admitted talks would be tough. Trade experts say the UK faces a key choice over regulatory alignment: whether to stay close to EU rules to access the European market, or follow American regulation.

Northern Ireland conflict 50 years on: will a no-deal Brexit threaten the peace?

Does ditching the Irish backstop threaten the Good Friday Agreement? #TheCube

Can Johnson succeed in negotiating a new Brexit deal?

Despite the prime minister's optimistic message that a new agreement can be struck with the EU — although after his assertion that the odds on a no-deal Brexit were a "million to one", he has since said it's "touch and go" — both sides have become entrenched in their positions amid an intensifying blame game.

European leaders in the EU's institutions and in national governments continue to insist the deal cannot be reopened. At their June summit they once again ruled out a renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement. The message has since been repeated by outgoing European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier, echoing similar warnings by several other national leaders.

Boris Johnson's critics say there is no serious attempt to renegotiate the UK's exit terms with Brussels — despite his insistence to the contrary — and that effectively his intention is to go for a no-deal Brexit on October 31.

After taking office, it was almost a month before Johnson met other EU leaders. In Berlin and Paris, the German chancellor and French president threw down the gauntlet to the prime minister, suggesting he could find an alternative solution to the backstop within a month. UK and EU officials are to meet twice a week in September. Ireland has said the UK — which has no allies among the other 27 EU countries over the issue — has failed to provide any credible alternative arrangements.

Some in Brussels and among the EU27 countries feel the withdrawal agreement is already generous to the UK. But although they refuse to rewrite the terms of the UK’s exit — including the Irish border guarantee — EU leaders are more open to modifying an agreed framework for future ties. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has repeated her call for a deal leading to a "close partnership" between the UK and EU countries.

The two sides' positions appear hard to reconcile. The UK wants to keep many benefits from the existing arrangements but is intent on leaving the EU's single market and customs union — and taking control of its money, borders and laws. The EU's priority is to preserve the integrity of its single market, institutions and founding principles.

Who got the top jobs in Boris Johnson's new government?

What happens in a 'no—deal scenario'?

Should the United Kingdom leave the European Union without a formal exit deal, legal arrangements covering many aspects of everyday life — including the rights of British and European citizens — would abruptly cease to apply. It would also bring an immediate change in the trading relationship between the UK and the EU.

Although some believe the fallout would quickly force both sides back to the negotiating table, relations would be further damaged — especially if the UK refused to pay its "divorce bill", as Boris Johnson has threatened to do.

A "no-deal" Brexit would hit the UK's economy but also those of its closest neighbours on the continent — and particularly the island of Ireland, where the survival of a hard-fought peace accord is at stake after decades of political violence.

Many political leaders, institutions, companies and individuals have warned of severe disruption and economic damage on both sides of the English Channel — with the UK being hit worse than the EU.

However, Brexiteers have long dismissed “Project Fear” forecasts and some argue that the UK could survive perfectly well under World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules.

The heightened uncertainty amid a winter of British political turmoil forced the UK and the EU, as well as people and businesses on both sides of the English Channel, to step up no-deal preparations ahead of the original March deadline. Such plans are now being revived in the run-up to October.

No-deal Brexit: what would 'WTO terms' mean for UK-EU trade?

What would no-deal mean for citizens' rights: EU nationals in the UK and Britons in the EU?

How would no-deal affect travel and consumers?

In March the European Commission said it had completed its no-deal preparations, having released its Contingency Action Plan for Brexit in December. In a no-deal scenario, it confirms that the rights of EU citizens living in the UK and Britons on the continent would no longer be protected at European level — and lays out basic plans to regulate financial services, air transport, road haulage, customs and exports, and climate policy.

Theresa May's government published a series of papers — some updated under her successor — advising UK citizens and businesses on the consequences and how to prepare for no-deal. It said the EU would treat the UK as a "third country", and there would be no agreement on applying arrangements set out in the exit deal.

British economic sectors reliant on close, smooth arrangements with Europe have warned of the dangers of new costs and restrictions being imposed overnight. Among those sounding alarm bells are manufacturing industries — including the car industry, food and drink, chemicals and pharmaceuticals – as well as the health service, tourism, and financial services. There have also been warnings over farming and fishing — despite strong support for Brexit from within these two sectors.

Brexit and business — read more:

No-deal Brexit will hit UK consumers hard — British Retail Consortium

No-deal Brexit impact would 'ripple on for years', reports warn

UK at risk of 'full-blown' recession — Office for Budget Responsibility

UK firms cut investment plans as Brexit alarm hits new high — survey

UK car industry warns next PM against 'seismic' no-deal Brexit

Jaguar commits to building electric vehicles in UK — but calls for Brexit deal

Japan's NTT invests big in London amid Brexit uncertainty

As the process dragged on without formal approval for an exit deal from the UK and EU parliaments, the focus shifted even more sharply to “no deal” preparations.

In August 2019, after the Bank of England lowered its growth forecast for the UK post-Brexit, its governor Mark Carney warned that in the event of no deal the economy would suffer an instant hit, prices would rise and the pound would fall, and even large profitable industries would become "uneconomic".

Government documents leaked to a Sunday newspaper, based on the government's preparations for a no-deal Brexit and codenamed "Operation Yellowhammer", contained warnings of possible food, medicine and fuel shortages.

In April a leaked letter by the government's most senior civil servant warned of an economic recession, food price rises, a severe impact on Britain's security services, police forces and legal system, and a return to direct rule by the UK government in Northern Ireland. In early August a leaked government document contained similar warnings.

In June, the same civil servant, Sir Mark Sedwill, said government and public services were in "pretty good shape" to cope with a no-deal Brexit at the end of October. He added that in the private sector the level of preparedness varied from sector to sector.

In November 2018, two major reports by the UK Treasury and the Bank of England assessed the potential damage to the British economy of various Brexit scenarios.

In its assessment of EU preparations for no-deal, the UK House of Commons Library describes the Commission's programme as one of "damage limitation" to protect the EU27 countries.

Read more:

EU nationals in UK and Britons living in EU worried about end of free movement in no-deal Brexit

'Operation Yellowhammer': leaked UK document warns of no-deal Brexit chaos

UK announces €2.3bn for no-deal Brexit preparation

Brexit: should Boris Johnson and the Tories get real over no deal?

How we got here: Brexit delay brings European election electroshock

Johnson's appointment follows a prolonged period of turmoil in British politics. This came to a head when Theresa May — who failed to get her EU divorce deal through parliament — became the latest in a long line of Conservative prime ministers to be brought down by Europe.

In the wake of the repeated parliamentary defeats for the EU divorce deal, the House of Commons twice forced the British government to seek to delay Brexit. EU national leaders met for a special European Council summit on April 10 and agreed to a six-month "flexible extension" to the UK's departure from the bloc, with a new exit date set for October 31. The country can leave earlier if its parliament approves the negotiated withdrawal deal.

But the extension of the UK's EU membership forced the country to take part in the European Parliament elections in May — and send 73 newly-elected MEPs to Strasbourg in July.

Nigel Farage's new Brexit Party, which advocates leaving the EU without a formal agreement, came top of the European vote. But there was a strong showing from pro-EU parties, in particular, the Liberal Democrats, who want to reverse Brexit altogether.

Britain's two main parties — the Conservatives and the Labour opposition — were severely punished by voters. Many Conservatives are furious at the failure to “deliver Brexit”, while Labour has been accused of sitting on the fence.

The results indicated that opinion in the UK is becoming still more polarised over Brexit, confirming the results of surveys which suggest that people have become increasingly entrenched in two camps — those who wish to remain in the EU, and those who are determined to leave, even with no deal.

Brexit delay prolongs 'crippling' limbo for EU and UK expats

What does the rejected Brexit divorce deal contain?

In November 2018 the British government and EU leaders approved a deal on the terms of the separation — the Withdrawal Agreement — and a Political Declaration on the nature of future EU-UK ties.

Despite its triple rejection by the UK parliament, the EU insists the Withdrawal Agreement is the only one on offer and cannot be altered. It is ready, however, to modify the Political Declaration. A successfully ratified deal would pave the way for an orderly UK exit from the European Union, quickly followed by full trade talks between the two sides.

The near 600-page Withdrawal Agreement would be legally binding and settles the key “divorce” issues: the UK’s financial obligations to the EU, citizens' rights — those of EU citizens living in the UK and Britons living on the continent — and arrangements for the Irish border. Set to become the only land frontier between the UK and the EU, both sides agree this must remain open, but the historically sensitive and complex issue bedevilled the talks.

A ratified exit deal would also pave the way for a the way for a planned transition period to come into effect after the UK’s departure. During this period many existing arrangements would remain in place, allowing for more time to sort out future EU-UK relations and avoid an abrupt “cliff-edge” exit.

If no UK-EU trade deal was agreed by the end of December 2020 — although an extension to this period is possible under the draft accord — a "backstop" mechanism would come into force to keep the Irish border open. This would set up a basic UK-wide customs union with the EU, but with Northern Ireland more deeply integrated with the bloc's rules.

How the deal protects EU citizens living in the UK — if it's ratified

How the deal protects UK citizens living in the EU — if it's ratified

The Political Declaration accompanying the Withdrawal Agreement is much shorter and covers future relations. The 26-page document is not legally binding — but could form the basis for a trade agreement to be negotiated after Brexit.

Unlike Conservative Eurosceptics and Northern Irish unionists who have focused their hostility on the backstop arrangements in the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK's Labour Party has emphasised its opposition to the Political Declaration. Leader Jeremy Corbyn has argued that the document is too vague and would lead the UK into a "blindfold Brexit".

Michel Barnier, the EU's chief Brexit negotiator, has said a permanent customs union — favoured by Labour — could be included in the Political Declaration. But although the issue was considered in the cross-party talks, the discussions foundered.

Read more: Political Declaration: the details

Why did the UK parliament repeatedly reject the deal?

At the heart of the debate over Europe in the United Kingdom is the balance to be struck between two objectives: a desire for independence, sovereignty and autonomy against the need to retain access to European markets, which, the EU has always insisted, means adhering to EU rules.

Theresa May insisted the negotiated withdrawal deal was in the national interest and there was no viable alternative. She argued that it delivered on the referendum result: an end to free movement, an end to huge UK payments to the EU, and an exit from the unpopular EU structures on farming and fishing.

However, the agreement brought hostility from both supporters and opponents of Brexit. In parliament, an alliance of forces resulted in the successive defeats for the government.

The main Labour opposition said the deal did not meet its six Brexit tests.

Derailed by the backstop

The controversial backstop, the mechanism in the agreement to guarantee an open border on the island of Ireland, proved to be a major stumbling block. The difficulty is that the frontier between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland – one of the most politically sensitive borders in the world – will become an EU-UK land border after Brexit, yet the UK wishes to pursue an independent trade policy.

The backstop envisages the UK remaining in a "single customs territory" with the EU in the absence of a free trade deal, as a kind of insurance policy to keep the border open.

Eurosceptic critics suspect it will keep the UK strapped permanently to EU trade policy. EU sources pointed out that the UK-wide mechanism in the withdrawal agreement was included at the UK’s request, to avoid splitting off Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), on whose support the government depends, has vehemently opposed any move they believe might separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom. Under the backstop, as set out in the deal, Northern Ireland would stay aligned to some EU rules.

Why is the Irish border issue so complex?

Irish border: can technology remove the need for a backstop?

What 'alternative arrangements' are there to the Irish backstop?

As the clock ticked down towards the original March 29 deadline, the UK and the EU said they had agreed a revised Brexit deal following weeks of deadlocked talks between London and Brussels. The British parliament had voted to seek “alternative arrangements” for the backstop after the first parliamentary defeat.

EU27 leaders had refused to alter the text of the withdrawal agreement. But Theresa May said she had secured legally-binding changes over the backstop’s application. European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said “meaningful legal assurances” had been given — while warning that there would be "no third chance" to revise the deal again.

However, leading members of the Conservative anti-EU European Research Group (ERG) and the DUP rejected the new proposals, after consulting new legal opinion on the deal from the government's top lawyer. The deal suffered a second defeat on March 12.

The government decided the third vote in the House of Commons on March 29 would be only on the withdrawal deal, not on the declaration on future relations. This was partly to conform to a ruling by the Speaker who insisted on substantial changes from the previous vote. However, it still ended in defeat by 58 votes.

The parliamentary deadlock prompted moves by MPs from different parties to wrest control of the Brexit process and allow a series of "indicative votes" to explore alternative solutions to the government's deal. But there has been no majority for any particular solution, other than an opposition to no-deal.

How did Brexit get into such a mess?

The turmoil in the British domestic political scene has cut across party lines. Internal party divisions have affected both the UK government and opposition.

The ruling Conservative party has long been riven between Eurosceptic and Europhile factions. The main Labour opposition has seen tension between its largely pro-EU membership and a leadership more inclined to deliver Brexit. Both parties have been damaged by the issue.

In early 2019, the Tories in particular haemorrhaged support to the new hardline Brexit Party. Meanwhile, both Conservatives and Labour suffered defections of some MPs to a new pro-EU centrist party — since renamed "The Independent Group for Change" — for reasons that included their leaders' stances on Brexit.

Tory turmoil boils over

The defeated UK-EU exit deal represented a compromise. But the blurring of several of Theresa May's so-called "red lines" on the limits of EU power sparked fury within her divided Conservative Party. As negotiations with Brussels brought more UK concessions, a string of government resignations followed.

After the 2017 general election, which left the Tories severely weakened in parliament, hostility amid their own ranks to any moves towards a "softer" Brexit restricted May's room for manoeuvre. Eurosceptics including the DUP strongly opposed her Brexit plan and the subsequent agreement, with many calling for the UK to leave the EU with no deal. They argue the accord ties the UK too closely to EU rules, compromising independence perhaps far into the future.

Not all doom and gloom: the Brexiteers' case for a 'hard Brexit'

Boris Johnson leads Brexit charge — but is 'taking back control' an illusion?

Equally, several pro-EU MPs also opposed a deal which, in their view, would leave the UK worse off than it had been inside the bloc. Some joined calls from opposition parties for a second referendum to see whether the country had changed its mind on Brexit.

Pressure from Tory Europhiles obliged the prime minister to open the door to a Brexit delay. Although she had long resisted calls from the Labour opposition for the UK to remain in a customs union with the EU, she suddenly changed tack on April 2 — only for cross-party talks to collapse weeks later.

Theresa May's fate was sealed after she revealed a fourth plan for getting her thrice-rejected Brexit deal through parliament. She tweaked the legislative package and crucially opened the door to a possible confirmatory referendum — a move which angered many in her party and sparked another government resignation.

How Brexit defined then destroyed Theresa May's premiership

What is the stance of UK opposition parties?

The main opposition Labour Party has been criticised for an ambiguous Brexit policy, blamed for its poor performance at local and European elections in May.

Despite gradually moving towards backing a public vote to resolve the Brexit crisis, the leadership's reticence to back a second referendum has angered many among its large pro-EU membership.

On July 28 leader Jeremy Corbyn said Labour would campaign for the UK to remain in the EU if Boris Johnson tried to implement a no-deal Brexit.

He followed this up with a letter to MPs on August 14, vowing to hold a no-confidence vote in Johnson's government, which if passed would be followed by a temporary government under his leadership. Brexit would be delayed and a general election held — with Labour campaigning for a second referendum, with an option to remain in the EU.

Labour set out its position after the June 2016 referendum, saying it respected the result. It defined its priorities as securing a customs union with the EU and access to its markets, as well as ensuring the protection of standards over the environment, and consumer and workers' rights.

The party later moved to back a new EU referendum under certain conditions. Its National Executive Committee agreed on April 30, 2019, to support Labour's alternative plan for Brexit, and back a public vote if it couldn't secure changes to the government's deal or a general election.

The issue has caused internal divisions. Corbyn had resisted another referendum, and many MPs in Brexit-supporting constituencies are also hostile. But he has come under intense pressure from the party membership, and some prominent frontbench figures who favour another public vote.

Following Labour's election defeats in May, Corbyn said the "only way out" of the Brexit crisis was either a general election or a referendum on a deal. Deputy leader Tom Watson called for another referendum regardless, and for Labour to campaign for the UK to remain in the EU.

On July 9 Labour tipped further in the direction of advocating a public vote — and backing EU membership. In a letter to party members, Corbyn called for a referendum on any Tory deal — or no deal — on Brexit, adding that Labour would campaign to remain in the EU. However, the letter did not spell out what Labour would do in power — bringing more accusations of ambiguity.

The pro-EU Liberal Democrats and the Independent Group for Change both oppose Brexit, and support a second referendum on the UK's EU membership. So do the Green Party, the Scottish National Party (SNP), and the Welsh party Plaid Cymru.

The Liberal Democrats have enjoyed a boost in opinion polls and performed well in the European elections. Newly-elected leader Jo Swinson, has vowed to do "whatever it takes to stop Brexit".

The Brexit Party advocates leaving the EU on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms, negotiating new terms afterwards — a position condemned as unrealistic and potentially disastrous by many mainstream politicians, economists and businesses. Leader Nigel Farage accuses the UK's political class of betraying the result of the 2016 referendum, adding that his new party's mission is to "change politics for good".

The UK Independence Party (UKIP), which Farage once led and was obliterated at the European elections, also favours a no-deal Brexit and blocking a second referendum.

MP Jo Swinson elected leader of UK's Liberal Democrats Party

What is the secret of Farage's success and what is his Brexit plan?

A history of UK-EU tension

Check out our series on the history of the United Kingdom's complicated relations with the European Union:

How does the European Union work?

The EU originally developed after World War Two, with the aim of promoting economic co-operation and trade between countries to stop them from going to war again. Its members' economies are now integrated around a single market allowing the free movement of goods, people, services and capital.

Nineteen of the 28 member states use a single currency, the euro. The EU has its own institutions and passes laws affecting many issues across the union.

It highlights the benefits of membership as securing peace, promoting freedom and prosperity as part of the single market, safeguarding food and environmental standards, consumer benefits, protecting human rights, and enhancing Europe's global power.

Trust in EU at its highest in five years, new poll suggests

New MEPs take their seats, but Brexit leaves 27 in limbo

The European Council is led by its president and is made up of the national heads of state or government, as well as the president of the Commission. It sets the EU's overall political direction but has no law-making powers.

Read more: What does the European Council do?

The European Parliament is the EU's law-making body, is directly elected by EU citizens, and represents them.

The European Commission promotes the EU's general interest. It is made up of Commissioners, one from each member state, nominated by national governments. It proposes and enforces laws and implements EU policies and its budget.

Receive our regular newsletter directly to your smartphone

Latest Live Coverage

Oral questions on Brexit in Commons as Brexit delay bill goes to Lords

Live - Tv

Live Broadcast