In January 2020, Britain finally left the European Union. However, while the Leave campaign promised this would bring huge benefits for the country, domestically and on the world stage, things have not gone well. The economy is suffering as trade with the EU has become more difficult. And a shortage of EU workers has helped fuel inflation, making the cost of living crisis worse. All this has led to growing discontent with Brexit, and even 'Bregret'. As a result, this has led to talk that the UK could rejoin the European Union. But just how likely is this? And when could it happen?

Britain always had difficult and complex relations with the European Union. When European integration began after the Second World War, it took a back seat, preferring to concentrate on rebuilding ties to the Empire. But by the 1960s, decolonisation was in full swing, and Britain was suffering economically. However, its first two applications to join the European Economic Community (EEC), were rejected. And it was not until 1 January 1973 that it joined. After that, the relationship remained difficult. Although Margaret Thatcher led the creation of the Single Market, she opposed political integration under an 'ever closer union'. And while Prime Minister Tony Blair was far more pro-European, he didn't take Britain into the single currency (the euro) or the border-free zone (the Schengen Area). Instead, having come back to power in 2010, the Conservatives again found themselves divided over Europe, leading to a referendum on 23 June 2016 that saw people vote to leave the EU by 52-48%. However, since leaving in January 2020, things have not gone well. A majority now think leaving was a mistake. However, rejoining is not as simple or as quick as some might like to believe.

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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:42 Democracy and Brexit
01:42 The Emergence of the European Union
02:44 Britain’s Path to EU Membership
03:48 The UK's Difficult Membership of the EU
04:57 The 2016 Brexit Referendum
06:33 The Brexit Process
07:32 Britain After Brexit
09:16 - Could the UK Rejoin the European Union?
11:09 - When Could Britain Rejoin the EU?

SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
UK Government https://www.gov.uk/
European Union https://european-union.europa.eu/inde...
European Movement UK https://www.europeanmovement.co.uk/
UK in a Changing Europe https://ukandeu.ac.uk/
Brexit Central (Archive) https://brexitcentral.com/

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