taken on October 22, 2019 EU and Union flags belonging to both
anti-Brexit and pro-Brexit activists, fly outside the Houses of
Parliament. – Britain said on Thursday, December 24, an agreement
had been secured on the country’s future relationship with the
European Union, after last-gasp talks just days before a cliff-edge
deadline. (Photo by Tolga AKMEN / AFP)
Even before Brexit, Britain and the European Union had
an often troubled history.
– Twice turned away –
On August 9, 1961, Britain formally applies to join what was then
called the European Economic Community (EEC).
But France’s president Charles de Gaulle vetoes the application
in 1963, shutting the door again in 1967.
Britain finally enters the EEC on January 1, 1973, at the same
time as Ireland and Denmark, after de Gaulle has left office.
In a referendum called by the new Labour government on whether
to remain in the EEC on June 5, 1975, more than 67 percent of
Britons vote “Yes”.
– Thatcher versus Europe –
On November 30, 1979, new Conservative prime minister Margaret
Thatcher demands a rebate on Britain’s contribution to the European
budget, reportedly saying: “I want my money back.” She gets her way
in 1984.
Thatcher gives a speech in the Belgian city of Bruges on
September 20, 1988, that becomes a rallying cry among eurosceptics
for less European political integration.
– British opt-outs –
The Maastricht Treaty in 1992 ushers in a new era of political and
economic integration. Britain secures an opt-out from some
provisions, including joining a planned single currency.
After infighting over Europe in his governing Conservative
Party, prime minister John Major survives a confidence vote on July
23, 1993.
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– UK votes to leave –
In a June 23, 2016, referendum organised after the Conservatives
come to power in 2015, Britain votes by 52 percent to 48 percent to
quit the EU. Prime minister David Cameron, who had campaigned to
remain, resigns.
The following year Cameron’s successor, Theresa May, starts the
two-year countdown to Britain leaving the bloc with a formal letter
of notice to EU president Donald Tusk.
Britain and the EU reach agreement on a divorce deal in November
2018.
– Impasse –
Britain’s lower house of parliament votes against the deal on
January 15, 2019, the first of three times it will do so.
Brexit is delayed to March 29, then to June 30, then to October
31.
Leading Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson replaces May as prime
minister on July 24, vowing to take Britain out of the EU with or
without a deal.
– New deal, new delay –
With the clock ticking, on October 17 European Commission President
Jean-Claude Juncker and Johnson announce agreement on a new draft
Brexit accord.
The British parliament delays its vote on the text, forcing
Johnson to ask Brussels for a new Brexit postponement. It is set
for January 31, 2020.
At a snap election in December 2019, Johnson’s Conservatives
secure a large parliamentary majority, ensuring easy passage for
his divorce deal.
– Brexit a reality, but… –
On January 31, 2020, Brexit eventually happens.
Crucial talks on future ties and trade with the bloc then start
in March, but break deadline after deadline as negotiators try to
avert a no-deal Brexit on December 31.
The two sides finally announce a deal on December 24 and Britain
leaves the European customs union and single market at 2300 GMT on
December 31.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2021/01/04/britain-and-the-eu-timeline-of-a-troubled-marriage/
The Ondo State Government has described the Chief of Protocol to
Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, Mr Tosin Ogunbodede, who died in a fatal
crash on Saturday, as a loyal and diligent aide.
![image](/2020/10/lawreport.jpg")
Ogunbodede and his driver with one other person were reportedly
involved in the accident when his car rammed into a truck on the
Akure-Ilesa Expressway.
![image](/2020/10/NWLRland.jpg")
While Ogunbodede and the driver lost their lives, the third
occupant of the Toyota Corolla car was injured in the crash and is
said to be receiving treatment in a hospital.
The late Chief of Protocol was said to be returning from Ibadan,
Oyo State, when the accident occurred in Ilesa, Osun State.
In a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information
and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, on Sunday, the government
described the deceased as a responsible legal practitioner.
The statement read in part, “Ogunbodede discharged his assigned
duties with utmost attention and responsibility. Until his untimely
death, he had been a very loyal political lieutenant of Governor
Akeredolu over the years.
“For Governor Akeredolu, this is a personal loss. It becomes
more emotional when it’s recalled that the loyal and dedicated
Tosin stopped by at the governor’s Law Hub, Ibadan, to greet his
principal while returning to Akure from his uncle’s residence.
“Even with a heavy heart, Governor Akeredolu enjoins all to take
solace in the fact of God’s infallibility. He giveth and taketh.
This is just as he expresses the heartfelt condolence of his
immediate family, the government and the good people of Ondo State
to the wife, children as well as the family of his late CoP.”
The statement added that the state government would soon unveil
the burial plans for the deceased after due consultation with his
family.