2010s in the United Kingdom

none 201 March 2020 July 2020 Events from the decade 2010s in the United Kingdom. There were four prime ministers during this time (Brown, Cameron, May, Johnson). However, Brown and Johnson were collectively in power for less than a year of this decade, the vast majority of the decade being under Cameron and May's premierships. There were four general elections (2010, 2015, 2017, 2019) and three parties (Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats as a junior coalition partner) had been in government during this time. The decade began with the last months of an unpopular Labour government that had been in power for 13 years had overseen the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2010 United Kingdom general election that resulted in the first hung parliament in 36 years. The decade ended with a Parliamentary deadlock over the issue of Brexit that ultimately led to the resignation of Theresa May as prime minister. Boris Johnson decided that leading a minority government was unviable, and Parliament arranged for an early general election (the first winter election since 1974), which produced the biggest Conservative majority since 1987. Notable trends during the 2010s included an increase in euroscepticism culminating in a vote by a small margin in favour of leaving the EU in the 2016 Brexit referendum, four electoral victories for the Conservative Party and a concomitant decline in electoral performance for the Labour Party, and national debates concerning devolved administrations and independence movements, particularly in Scotland where the 2014 Scottish independence referendum saw 55.3% of voters support remaining part of the UK. The 2010 election saw the far-right British National Party (BNP) peak with 1.9% of the vote, representing the most successful electoral performance for an extreme-right party in UK history. The BNP would see their support decrease afterwards. The 2010s saw the UK Independence Party (UKIP) increasing in support. In the 2015 general election, UKIP peaked with over 3.8 million votes (12.6% of the total), replacing the Liberal Democrats as the third most popular party. History by Premiership Premiership of Gordon Brown (2010) Premiership of Gordon Brown 2010 general election 2010 United Kingdom general election thumb|Polling on the winner of the UK's first national election debate in 2010. At the beginning of the decade the UK was governed by the Labour Party, which had been in power since its landslide victory in the 1997 general election before winning comfortable majorities in the 2001 and 2005 general elections. The prime minister was Gordon Brown, who had been in office since 2007. On 6 April 2010, Brown visited Buckingham Palace to seek the Queen's permission to dissolve Parliament on 12 April, initiating a general election on 6 May.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8603591.stm Brown triggers May election race 2010-04-06 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191209223722/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8603591.stm 2019-12-09 live Notable events in that campaign included the UK's first televised debates between the leaders of the main parties. In these debates the prime minister was widely considered to have been outperformed by his opponents David Cameron of the Conservative Party and especially Nick Clegg of the Liberal Democrats.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8621119.stm Leaders clash in historic debate 2010-04-15 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191209223717/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8621119.stm 2019-12-09 livehttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7696467/General-Election-2010-the-great-debate-election.html General Election 2010: the great debate election Daily Telegraph 2010-05-08 2019-12-09 en-GB 0307-1235 https://web.archive.org/web/20121114052250/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/election-2010/7696467/General-Election-2010-the-great-debate-election.html 2012-11-14 live At the election, Labour lost 91 seats in the House of Commons, but the Conservatives failed to achieve an overall majority, resulting in the first hung parliament since 1974.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667071.stm First hung parliament for decades 2010-05-07 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20120511135305/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8667071.stm 2012-05-11 live Brown remained temporarily as prime minister, while the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives entered into talks aimed at forming a coalition government.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/07/hung-parliament-david-cameron-momentum Hung parliament: David Cameron has momentum, but Brown still has power Travis Alan 2010-05-07 The Guardian 2019-12-09 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20131214115708/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/07/hung-parliament-david-cameron-momentum 2013-12-14 livehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8669508.stm Lib Dems back Clegg on Tory talks 2010-05-08 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191209224355/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8669508.stm 2019-12-09 live There were also talks between the Liberal Democrats and Labour.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/10/labour-liberal-democrats-conservative-coalition Labour prepares to pounce if Liberal Democrat-Conservative coalition talks fail Wintour Patrick 2010-05-10 The Guardian 2019-12-09 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20140204043237/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/may/10/labour-liberal-democrats-conservative-coalition 2014-02-04 live On 10 May, Brown announced his intention to resign as leader of the Labour Party and instructed the party to initiate the election of a new leader. Brown's continued presence as prime minister was seen an obstacle to the negotiation of a Labour-Liberal Democrat deal.https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8672859.stm Brown to quit as Labour leader 2010-05-10 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20100513013555/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8672859.stm 2010-05-13 live In a telephone conversation with his predecessor Tony Blair, Blair suggested to Brown that the election had shown that British voters had lost faith in both him and the Labour Party and that the United Kingdom would not accept him continuing as prime minister. He concluded that he would not be able to form a government, and announced his resignation as prime minister.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675913.stm Brown resigns as prime minister 2010-05-11 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20121011070320/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675913.stm 2012-10-11 live He also resigned as leader of the Labour Party with immediate effect. Brown was succeeded as prime minister by David Cameron, whose party had formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats, while Harriet Harman became acting leader of the Labour Party.https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675265.stm Cameron is new UK prime minister 2010-05-12 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20100513181000/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8675265.stm 2010-05-13 livehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8676333.stm Harman made acting Labour leader 2010-05-11 2019-12-09 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191209223720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/election_2010/8676333.stm 2019-12-09 live The latter until Ed Miliband's victory in the 2010 labour leadership contest a few months later.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11412031 Ed Miliband is new Labour leader 2010-09-25 BBC News 2020-04-17 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191212215019/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11412031 2019-12-12 live Premiership of David Cameron (2010–2016) Premiership of David Cameron thumb|David Cameron Appointment The premiership of David Cameron began on 11 May 2010 when Cameron accepted the Queen's invitation to form a government, after the resignation of Cameron's predecessor as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown. While serving as prime minister, Cameron also served as First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. He headed a coalition government between the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats. He immediately appointed Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, as deputy prime minister. Between them, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats controlled 363 seats in the House of Commons, with a majority of 76 seats.Lyall, Sarah https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/world/europe/13britain.html Britain's Improbable New Leaders Promise Big Changes The New York Times 25 June 2014 2019-12-10 https://web.archive.org/web/20200516174657/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/13/world/europe/13britain.html 2020-05-16 live Policies thumb|Campaign material from both sides of the 2014 Scottish independence referendum on a Church notice board in Perth. Throughout his time in office, Cameron's government attempted to reduce the large deficit in government finances through austerity measures. Internationally, his government intervened militarily in the Libyan Civil War and later authorised the bombing of the Islamic State; domestically, his government oversaw the referendum on voting reform and the Scottish independence referendum, both of which confirmed Cameron's favoured outcome (a "No" in each case). 2015 general election 2015 United Kingdom general election The 2015 United Kingdom general election was held on Thursday, 7 May 2015 to elect 650 members to the House of Commons. After the 2015 general election, Cameron was re-elected as prime minister, but this time at the head of a Conservative majority government with a parliamentary majority of 12 seats.Election 2015 – Results https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2015/results BBC News 10 May 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150510034229/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2015/results 2015-05-10 live He also became the first prime minister since 1900 to continue in office immediately after a term of at least four years with a larger popular vote share, and the only prime minister other than Margaret Thatcher to continue in office immediately after a term of at least four years with a greater number of seats. The Labour Party, led by Ed Miliband, saw a small increase in its share of the vote to 30.4%, but incurred a net loss of seats to return 232 MPs. This was its lowest seat tally since the 1987 general election. Senior Labour Shadow Cabinet members, notably Ed Balls, Douglas Alexander, and Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy, were defeated. The Scottish National Party, enjoying a surge in support since the 2014 Scottish independence referendum, recorded a number of huge swings of over 30% (including a record-breaking swing of 39.3% achieved in Glasgow North East) from Labour, as it won 56 of the 59 Scottish seats to become the third-largest party in the Commons. The Liberal Democrats, led by outgoing deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, had their worst result since their formation in 1988, holding just eight out of their previous 57 seats, with Cabinet ministers Vince Cable, Ed Davey and Danny Alexander losing their seats. UKIP came third in terms of votes with 12.6%, but only won one seat, with party leader Nigel Farage failing to win the seat of South Thanet. The Green Party won its highest-ever share of the vote with 3.8%, and retained the Brighton Pavilion seat with an increased majority, though did not win any additional seats.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/a-victorious-caroline-lucas-has-perfectly-summed-up-how-negative-our-politics-is-10235534.html A victorious Caroline Lucas perfectly has just summed up how negative our politics is 2015-05-08 The Independent en 2019-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20191219115244/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/a-victorious-caroline-lucas-has-perfectly-summed-up-how-negative-our-politics-is-10235534.html 2019-12-19 live Labour's Miliband (as national leader) and Murphy (as Scottish leader) both resigned, as did Clegg. They were replaced over the following months by Jeremy Corbyn, Kezia Dugdale and Tim Farron respectively. Farage said that his resignation was rejected by his party, and remained in post.https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2015/05/exclusive-nigel-farage-never-resigned-from-ukip-in-stitch-up/ Exclusive: Nigel Farage 'never resigned' from Ukip in 'stitch up' 2015-05-15 Coffee House en-US 2019-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20190502101906/https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2015/05/exclusive-nigel-farage-never-resigned-from-ukip-in-stitch-up/ 2019-05-02 live EU referendum and end of premiership 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum thumb|Pro-Brexit campaigners during the run up to the 2016 EU membership referendum upright=1.1|thumb|Of the 382 voting areas in the United Kingdom and Gibraltar a total of 270 returned majority votes in favour of "Leave" whereas 129 returned majority votes in favour of "Remain" in the referendum including all 32 areas in Scotland. #0069b5 Leave #ffc010 Remain In a referendum held on 23 June 2016, the UK voted to withdraw from the European Union, with a result of 52% for withdrawal and 48% for remaining within the union. The following morning, Cameron announced in a televised speech outside 10 Downing Street that he intended to step down as prime minister following the Conservative Party conference in the autumn of that year. Cameron, who had campaigned in favour of the UK remaining in a reformed EU, said that he had informed the Queen of his decision before going to the public. He remarked that "fresh leadership" needed to come in to deliver Brexit.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36615028 Brexit: David Cameron to quit after UK votes to leave EU BBC News 24 June 2016 24 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20190724232549/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36615028 2019-07-24 live In the event, he officially resigned as prime minister sometime earlier on 13 July 2016. Premiership of Theresa May (2016–2019) Premiership of Theresa May thumb|Theresa May Party election 2016 Conservative Party leadership election Following Cameron's resignation various senior conservatives ran in the Conservative Party leadership election, by the end of the first stages of the contest involving rounds of conservative MPs voting on the candidates Home Secretary Theresa May's only remaining competitor was Minister of State for Energy Andrea Leadsom, who withdrew from the race on 11 July 2016.Asthana Anushka Mason Rowena Elgot Jessica 2016-07-11 Andrea Leadsom pulls out of Conservative leadership race en-GB The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/11/conservative-leadership-andrea-leadsom-pulls-out-of-race 2020-10-02 0261-3077 Following this announcement, Cameron said that he would step down from his post on 13 July.11 July 2016 Theresa May to succeed Cameron as UK PM on Wednesday BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36768148 live 11 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20190910012154/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36768148 2019-09-10 Cameron formally tendered his resignation to Queen Elizabeth II on that day, who subsequently appointed Theresa May as his successor.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36778350 David Cameron says being PM 'the greatest honour' in final Downing Street speech BBC News 13 July 2016 13 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160713212411/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-36778350 2016-07-13 live https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/13/theresa-may-becomes-britains-prime-minister Theresa May becomes Britain's prime minister The Guardian 13 July 2016 13 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160713235732/http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jul/13/theresa-may-becomes-britains-prime-minister 2016-07-13 live 2017 general election 2017 United Kingdom general election Under the Fixed-term Parliaments Act 2011 an election had not been due until May 2020, but a call by Prime Minister Theresa May for a snap election was ratified by the necessary two-thirds vote in a 522–13 vote in the House of Commons on 19 April 2017. May said that she hoped to secure a larger majority to "strengthen [her] hand" in the forthcoming Brexit negotiations.https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/02/europe-landslide-victory-theresa-may-brexit Strengthen our hand in Europe? No, a landslide for May would weaken it Ian Birrell Birrell Ian 2017-05-02 The Guardian 2019-12-19 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20190331042738/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/may/02/europe-landslide-victory-theresa-may-brexit 2019-03-31 live Opinion polls had consistently shown strong leads for the Conservatives over Labour. From a 21-point lead, the Conservatives' lead began to diminish in the final weeks of the campaign. In a surprising result, the Conservative Party made a net loss of 13 seats despite winning 42.4% of the vote (its highest share of the vote since 1983), whereas Labour made a net gain of 30 seats with 40.0% (its highest vote share since 2001 and the first time the party had gained seats since 1997). This was the closest result between the two major parties since February 1974 and their highest combined vote share since 1970. The Scottish National Party (SNP) and the Liberal Democrats, the third- and fourth-largest parties, both lost vote share; media coverage characterised the result as a return to two-party politics.https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/election-results-hung-parliament-two-party-politics-back-return-labour-conservative-tory-jeremy-a7781256.html Two-party politics is back – sort of 2017-06-09 The Independent en 2019-12-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213120730/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/election-results-hung-parliament-two-party-politics-back-return-labour-conservative-tory-jeremy-a7781256.html 2019-12-13 live The SNP, which had won 56 of the 59 Scottish seats at the previous general election in 2015, lost 21. The Liberal Democrats made a net gain of four seats. UKIP, the third-largest party in 2015 by number of votes, saw its share of the vote reduced from 12.6% to 1.8% and lost its only seat. In Wales, Plaid Cymru gained one seat, giving it a total of four seats. The Green Party retained its sole seat, but saw its share of the vote reduced. In Northern Ireland, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) won 10 seats, Sinn Féin won seven, and Independent Unionist Sylvia Hermon retained her seat. The Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) and Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) lost all their seats. The Conservatives were narrowly victorious and remained in power as a minority government, having secured a confidence and supply deal with the DUP.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-40403434 Tories and DUP agree UK government deal 2017-06-26 2019-12-19 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20170626150027/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-40403434 2017-06-26 live Issues during premiership thumb|Anti-Brexit protestors in late 2018 May triggered Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union to leave the EU in March 2017.https://www.ft.com/content/13b17624-7057-11e6-9ac1-1055824ca907 Theresa May ignores calls for Brexit delay 1 September 2016 Financial Times 11 December 2016 subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20160905023556/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/13b17624-7057-11e6-9ac1-1055824ca907.html 2016-09-05 liveMay triggers article 50 with warning of consequence for UK https://web.archive.org/web/20191225162002/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/29/theresa-may-triggers-article-50-with-warning-of-consequences-for-uk 2019-12-25 The Guardian However, under her leadership, the government was unable to reach an EU withdrawal agreement approved by the Conservative Party as a whole. How to manage the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was a major problem; the so-called 'backstop'.David Davis calls on ministers to rebel against Brexit deal https://web.archive.org/web/20191108223051/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/14/david-davis-calls-on-ministers-to-rebel-against-brexit-deal 2019-11-08 The Guardian On 4 December 2018, the May government was found in contempt of Parliament; the first government to be found in contempt in history on a motion passed by MPs by 311 to 293 votes. The vote was triggered by the government failing to lay before Parliament any legal advice on the proposed withdrawal agreement on the terms of the UK's departure from the European Union, after a humble address for a return was unanimously agreed to by the House of Commons on 13 November 2018. The government then agreed to publish the full legal advice for Brexit that was given to the prime minister by the Attorney General during negotiations with the European Union.Theresa May, after failing to pass her Brexit withdrawal agreement through parliament three times, announced her resignation as prime minister of the United Kingdom on 24 May 2019 amidst calls for her to be ousted.Picheta Rob 25 May 2019 Theresa May to resign as UK Prime Minister en-US CNN https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/theresa-may-resignation-announcement-0524-gbr-intl live 26 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191217183319/https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/theresa-may-resignation-announcement-0524-gbr-intl/ 2019-12-1724 May 2019 Theresa May resigns over Brexit: What happened? en-GB BBC News https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48379730 live 26 July 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191109211419/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48379730 2019-11-09 Premiership of Boris Johnson (2019) Premiership of Boris Johnson Party election 2019 Conservative Party leadership election Before the resignation, Boris Johnson had already confirmed at a business event in Manchester days earlier that he would run for Conservative Party leader if May were to do so.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48299424 Boris Johnson confirms bid for Tory leadership 16 May 2019 BBC News 26 July 2019 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20200301012054/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-48299424 2020-03-01 live Johnson won all five rounds of voting by MPs,https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/23/boris-johnson-elected-new-tory-leader-prime-minister Boris Johnson elected new Tory leader Stewart Heather 23 July 2019 The Guardian 23 July 2019 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20200101194813/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/23/boris-johnson-elected-new-tory-leader-prime-minister 2020-01-01 live and entered the final vote by Conservative Party members as the clear favourite to be elected PM.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/23/boris-johnson-on-course-to-win-tory-leadership-contest Johnson on course to win Tory leadership contest Mason Rowena 23 July 2019 The Guardian 26 July 2019 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20190729045447/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/23/boris-johnson-on-course-to-win-tory-leadership-contest 2019-07-29 live On 23 July, he emerged victorious over his rival Jeremy Hunt with 92,153 votes, 66.4% of the total ballot, while Hunt received 46,656 votes.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49084605 Boris Johnson wins race to be Tory leader and PM 23 July 2019 BBC News 26 July 2019 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191216075519/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49084605 2019-12-16 live These results were announced an event in the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster. In his first speech as prime minister Johnson pledged that Britain would leave the European Union (EU) by 31 October 2019, "no ifs or buts".https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/01/johnson-first-100-days-broken-promises-unlawful-prorogation Johnson's first 100 days: broken promises and an unlawful prorogation 1 November 2019 The Guardian 2 November 2019 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191207224431/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/nov/01/johnson-first-100-days-broken-promises-unlawful-prorogation 2019-12-07 live Annulled prorogation attempt 2019 British prorogation controversy On 28 August 2019, Boris Johnson announced that he had asked The Queen to prorogue parliament from a date between 9–12 September until the opening of a new session on 14 October.https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/08/28/read-boris-johnsons-letter-british-lawmakers-about-his-plans-shut-down-parliament/ Read Boris Johnson's letter to British lawmakers about his plans to shut down Parliament Jennifer Hassan The Washington Post en 2019-08-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20190828163016/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2019/08/28/read-boris-johnsons-letter-british-lawmakers-about-his-plans-shut-down-parliament/ 2019-08-28 live Parliament was in any case due to have a three-week recess for the party conference season,"What is prorogation and why is Boris Johnson using it?" https://web.archive.org/web/20191211152324/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/28/what-is-prorogation-prorogue-parliament-boris-johnson-brexit 2019-12-11 . The Guardian, 28 August 2019. and Johnson's prorogation would add around four days to the parliamentary break. The 2017–19 parliamentary session was the longest since the English Civil War,https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/parliament-and-elections/parliament/is-this-the-longest-parliamentary-session-ever/ Is this the longest parliamentary session ever? 2019-05-10 House of Commons Library en-GB 2019-08-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20190828231035/https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/parliament-and-elections/parliament/is-this-the-longest-parliamentary-session-ever/ 2019-08-28 liveBrexit struggles lead to longest parliamentary session since the Civil War https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-parliament-session-longest-civil-war/ i News Karl McDonald 13 May 2019 28 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190828122339/https://inews.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-parliament-session-longest-civil-war/ 2019-08-28 live while the prorogation in 2019 at Johnson's request would have been the longest prorogation since 1930.Westminster shutdown:is Britain facing a coup? https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/01/britain-coup-parliament-suspend-prorogue-brexit The Guardian 1 September 2019 Meg Russell 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191217005637/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/01/britain-coup-parliament-suspend-prorogue-brexit 2019-12-17 live The government said that the prorogation was to allow for the government to set out a new legislative agenda.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/13/bercow-will-fight-to-stop-johnson-closing-parliament-for-no-deal Bercow will 'fight with every breath' to stop Johnson closing parliament for no deal Elgot Jessica 13 August 2019 The Guardian 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191130032801/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/aug/13/bercow-will-fight-to-stop-johnson-closing-parliament-for-no-deal 2019-11-30 live Others questioned this justification, and said that the prorogation was an improper attempt to evade parliamentary scrutiny of Johnson's Brexit plans in advance of the UK's planned departure from the European Union on 31 October 2019; opponents of prorogation included opposition MPs, UK constitutional law scholars,Letters: The 'improper' nature of this prorogation https://www.thetimes.com/comment/article/times-letters-the-improper-nature-of-this-prorogation-2r6zq0xfr Times of London 3 September 2019 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191005171555/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/times-letters-the-improper-nature-of-this-prorogation-2r6zq0xfr 2019-10-05 live and Sir John Major, the former Conservative prime minister.Owen Bowcott John Major's lawyer attacks No 10 prorogation claims as 'misleading' https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/19/john-majors-lawyer-attacks-no-10-prorogation-claims-as-misleading The Guardian 19 September 2019 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191212163835/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/19/john-majors-lawyer-attacks-no-10-prorogation-claims-as-misleading 2019-12-12 liveBoris Johnson should apologise to Parliament for prorogation, says Sir John Major https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/09/24/boris-johnson-should-apologise-parliament-prorogation-says-sir/ The Telegraph Tony Diver 24 September 2019 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191225162142/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/09/24/boris-johnson-should-apologise-parliament-prorogation-says-sir/ 2019-12-25 live The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow, called the decision a "constitutional outrage".https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-parliament-prorogation-explained Parliament 'prorogation' explained Lee Georgina 28 August 2019 Channel 4 live 28 August 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191204095952/https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-parliament-prorogation-explained 2019-12-04 Three separate cases were lodged before the courts alleging its illegality. The High Court of Justice in London found the issue to be non-justiciable, but the highest civil court in Scotland, the Court of Session sitting in Edinburgh, ruled prorogation was unlawful as it had the "improper purpose of stymieing Parliament".See A. Young, ‘Prorogation, Politics and the Principle of Legality https://web.archive.org/web/20200102070125/https://ukconstitutionallaw.org/2019/09/13/alison-young-prorogation-politics-and-the-principle-of-legality/ 2020-01-02 ’, U.K. Const. L. Blog (13 Sept. 2019) and E. McGaughey, ‘Is There a "Legal Measure" to Judge Parliament’s Prorogration? https://web.archive.org/web/20200201031847/https://ukconstitutionallaw.org/2019/09/14/ewan-mcgaughey-is-there-a-legal-measure-to-judge-parliaments-prorogration/ 2020-02-01 ’, U.K. Const. L. Blog (14 Sept. 2019) The issue was brought before the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom on 17 September 2019 in the cases R (Miller) v The Prime Minister and Cherry v Advocate General for Scotland.Scottish judges rule Parliament suspension is unlawful https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49661855 BBC News 11 September 2019 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20200526210935/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49661855 2020-05-26 live On 24 September, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that the prorogation was both justiciable and unlawful, and therefore null and of no effect.Bowcott Owen 24 September 2019 Boris Johnson's suspension of parliament unlawful, supreme court rules https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/sep/24/boris-johnsons-suspension-of-parliament-unlawful-supreme-court-rules-prorogue The Guardian London 24 September 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191020195442/https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/sep/24/boris-johnsons-suspension-of-parliament-unlawful-supreme-court-rules-prorogue 2019-10-20 live Supreme Court: Suspending Parliament was unlawful, judges rule https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49810261 BBC News London 24 September 2019 24 September 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190924095005/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49810261 2019-09-24 live R (Miller) (Appellant) v The Prime Minister (Respondent) and Cherry & Ors (Respondents) v Advocate General for Scotland (Appellant) (Scotland) [2019] UKSC 41 24 September 2019 https://supremecourt.uk/uploads/R_on_the_application_of_Miller_Appellant_v_The_Prime_Minister_Respondent_and_another_be6edb8cc1.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20250515202341/https://supremecourt.uk/uploads/R_on_the_application_of_Miller_Appellant_v_The_Prime_Minister_Respondent_and_another_be6edb8cc1.pdf 2025-05-15 live Parliament resumed sitting the following day, resuming the parliamentary session.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49820038 Parliament: MPs and peers return after court rules suspension unlawful BBC News 25 September 2019 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20200103013438/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49820038 2020-01-03 liveProrogation ceremony 9 September 2019 – News from Parliament https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2019/september/end-of-the-2017-19-parliament-/ UK Parliament English 2020-05-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20190925104227/https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2019/september/end-of-the-2017-19-parliament-/ 2019-09-25 live Bercow said he would ensure that the attempted prorogation would be expunged from the House of Commons Journal, the corrected formal record of parliamentary business, and replaced with a statement that Parliament was adjourned for the period of the absence.Bianca Britton, Lawmakers return to Parliament after court rules against Boris Johnson's prorogation https://web.archive.org/web/20200105085249/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/09/25/uk/mps-return-to-parliament-gbr-intl/index.html 2020-01-05 , CNN (25 September 2019).Chris Smyth & Steven Swinford, Supreme Court ruling: This parliament is dead, says law chief Geoffrey Cox, The Times (26 September 2019). Calls for early election On 3 September 2019, Boris Johnson threatened to call a general election after opposition and rebel Conservative MPs successfully voted against the government to take control of the order of business with a view to preventing a no-deal exit.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/09/03/brexit-latest-news-boris-johnson-no-deal-vote-general-election/ Brexit vote result: Boris Johnson demands general election after rebel MPs seize control of Commons agenda Rayner Gordon Sheridan Danielle 3 September 2019 The Telegraph 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191205030203/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/09/03/brexit-latest-news-boris-johnson-no-deal-vote-general-election/ 2019-12-05 live Despite government opposition, the bill to block a no-deal exit passed the Commons on 4 September 2019, causing Johnson to call for a general election on 15 October.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49580185 MPs back bill aimed at blocking no-deal Brexit 4 September 2019 4 September 2019 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20190904191629/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49580185 2019-09-04 live However, this motion was unsuccessful as it failed to command the support of two-thirds of the House as required by the Fixed-term Parliaments Act (FTPA).https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49584907 Johnson's call for general election rejected by MPs 4 September 2019 4 September 2019 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191129122504/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49584907 2019-11-29 live A second attempt at a motion for an early general election failed on 9 September.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/09/mps-order-johnson-to-hand-over-aides-messages-about-prorogation Boris Johnson loses sixth vote in six days as election bid fails Mason Rowena The Guardian 10 September 2019 www.theguardian.com 2019-12-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20191107140831/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/09/mps-order-johnson-to-hand-over-aides-messages-about-prorogation 2019-11-07 live Brexit negotiations Brexit negotiations in 2019 On 2 October the Government published a fresh Brexit plan, which included proposals to replace the Irish backstop. It would create an "all-island regulatory zone", meaning that Northern Ireland would essentially stay in the European Single Market for agricultural and industrial goods, meaning that sanitary and phytosanitary controls would be needed between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49909309 Government publishes Brexit proposals BBC News 2 October 2019 2 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191019015917/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49909309 2019-10-19 live The proposal also declared that Northern Ireland, along with the rest of the UK, would leave the Customs Union, meaning that customs controls would be needed for cross-border goods trade. The proposal did not appear to address cross-border services.March 2020 On 4 October the Government assured the highest civil court in Scotland that Johnson would send a letter to the EU seeking an extension to Article 50 as required by the European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 2) Act 2019.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49936352 Brexit: Boris Johnson will send extension letter – court document BBC News BBC 4 October 2019 4 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20200103032127/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49936352 2020-01-03 live The court was originally due to release their ruling on 9 October, but decided to delay doing so until 21 October, to allow the court to "assess how circumstances have changed".https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-49975066 Brexit: Scottish court delays decision on extension letter BBC News BBC 9 October 2019 19 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191030102635/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-49975066 2019-10-30 live On 17 October 2019, a revised withdrawal agreement, with a changed backstop, was agreed by the EU leaders and Boris Johnson.https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/revised_withdrawal_agreement_including_protocol_on_ireland_and_nothern_ireland.pdf Revised Withdrawal Agreement 17 October 2019 European Commission live 17 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191017103006/https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/revised_withdrawal_agreement_including_protocol_on_ireland_and_nothern_ireland.pdf 2019-10-17https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50079385 New Brexit deal agreed, says Boris Johnson 17 October 2019 BBC 17 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213193556/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50079385 2019-12-13 live On 19 October, a special Saturday sitting of Parliament was held to debate the revised agreement.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49984367 Brexit: Special sitting for MPs to decide UK's future 9 October 2019 BBC News 9 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191009081839/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49984367 2019-10-09 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/09/parliament-set-for-brexit-showdown-on-19-october Parliament set for Brexit showdown on 19 October Murphy Simon 9 October 2019 The Guardian 9 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191013225148/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/09/parliament-set-for-brexit-showdown-on-19-october 2019-10-13 live MPs passed an amendment by 322 votes to 306 that withheld Parliament's approval until legislation implementing the deal had been passed, and forced the Government to request a delay to Brexit until 31 January 2020.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/19/mps-put-brakes-on-boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-with-rebel-letwin-amendment MPs put brakes on Boris Johnson's Brexit deal with rebel amendment Stewart Heather 19 October 2019 The Guardian 19 October 2019 Proctor Kate en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20191019161837/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/oct/19/mps-put-brakes-on-boris-johnsons-brexit-deal-with-rebel-letwin-amendment 2019-10-19 live Later that evening, 10 Downing Street confirmed that Boris Johnson would send a letter to the EU requesting an extension, but would not sign it.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924 Brexit: PM sends letter to Brussels seeking further delay BBC News BBC 19 October 2019 19 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191212154138/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924 2019-12-12 live EU Council President Donald Tusk subsequently confirmed receipt of the letter, which Johnson had described as "Parliament's letter, not my letter". In addition, Johnson sent a second letter expressing the view that any further delay to Brexit would be a mistake.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924 Brexit: PM sends letter to Brussels seeking further delay BBC News BBC 20 October 2019 20 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191212154138/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50112924 2019-12-12 live On 22 October, the UK government brought the recently revised EU Withdrawal Bill to the House of Commons for debate.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50146182 MPs reject Brexit bill timetable BBC News 22 October 2019 22 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191215182955/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50146182 2019-12-15 live MPs voted on the Bill itself, which was passed by 329 votes to 299, and on the timetable for debating the Bill, which was defeated by 322 votes to 308. Prior to the votes, Johnson had stated that if his timetable failed to generate the support needed to pass in parliament he would abandon attempts to get the deal approved and would seek a general election. Following the vote, however, Johnson announced that the legislation would be paused while he consulted with other EU leaders.https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu/british-parliament-backs-pm-johnsons-brexit-deal-at-important-stage-idUKKBN1X10K0 Brexit in chaos after parliament defeats Johnson's ratification timetable James William MacLellan Kylie Piper Elizabeth Reuters.com 22 October 2019 22 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191218213223/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-eu/british-parliament-backs-pm-johnsons-brexit-deal-at-important-stage-idUKKBN1X10K0 2019-12-18 dead On 28 October 2019, it was confirmed that Brexit had been delayed until 31 January 2020.Brexit: Johnson agrees to Brexit extension – but urges election https://web.archive.org/web/20191028093707/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-50205603 2019-10-28 BBC News 28 October 2019 The following day, MPs backed a general election on 12 December 2019.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50229318 MPs back 12 December election BBC Sport 29 October 2019 29 October 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191105122816/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50229318 2019-11-05 live On 30 October 2019, the day named as "exit day" in UK legislation was changed to 31 January 2020 at 11.00 pm.The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Exit Day) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2019 SI 2019 No. 1423, 30 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191110011230/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2019/1423/regulation/2/made 2019-11-10 2019 general election 2019 United Kingdom general election At the election, the Conservatives made a net gain of 48 seats, in what was regarded as a landslide victory, winning 43.6% of the vote (the highest share for any party since 1979) and 365 seats (the highest number for the party since 1987), whereas Labour made a net loss of 60 seats, losing several of its constituencies in northern England, across the Midlands and Wales to the Conservatives (often for the first time in many decades).https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2019/results Results BBC News 13 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213002342/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2019/results 2019-12-13 livehttps://www.statista.com/statistics/717004/general-elections-vote-share-by-party-uk/ Share of votes in general elections in the United Kingdom from 1918 to 2017, by political party Statista 13 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213201621/https://www.statista.com/statistics/717004/general-elections-vote-share-by-party-uk/ 2019-12-13 live Labour's losses in the general election led its leader Jeremy Corbyn to announce his intention to resign as the party's leader.https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50766114 Jeremy Corbyn: 'I will not lead Labour at next election' 13 December 2019 BBC News 13 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191214155812/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50766114 2019-12-14 livehttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/socialist-jeremy-corbyn-steps-down-leader-labour-party-after-crushing-n1101166 Socialist Jeremy Corbyn to step down as leader of Labour Party after projected defeat in U.K. election NBC News 13 December 2019 en 2019-12-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20191221101948/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/socialist-jeremy-corbyn-steps-down-leader-labour-party-after-crushing-n1101166 2019-12-21 live The Liberal Democrats increased their vote share to 11.6% of the votes, though leader Jo Swinson was obliged under her party's rules to announce her resignation after losing her seat in East Dunbartonshire, leaving her party with 11 seats.https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50771123 Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson to step down 13 December 2019 13 December 2019 BBC News en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20191213180302/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50771123 2019-12-13 live The Green Party held its one-seat and saw its vote share increase. The Scottish National Party (SNP) made a net gain of 13 seats across Scotland, winning 45% of the Scottish vote and 48 of the 59 Scottish seats,https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50766014 SNP wins election landslide in Scotland 2019-12-13 2019-12-15 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20200207194118/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50766014 2020-02-07 live while in Wales, Plaid Cymru retained its four seats with no significant change in vote share. In Northern Ireland, for the first time more Irish Nationalist MPs were elected than British Unionists, although unionist parties still won more votes; Sinn Féin retained the same number of seats, and the DUP lost two seats, while the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) regained two seats, and the Alliance Party regained a seat, giving the latter two parties a restored presence in the House of Commons. Post-election aftermath thumb|Boris Johnson speaks in front of 10 Downing Street on the day after the 2019 UK general election. The election results had a variety of different effects and set the dynamics of UK politics going into the new decade. For the first time since the 2016 referendum it became almost certain that Brexit would take place with the process of passing the withdrawal agreement through parliament beginning before Christmas.https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2019/december/withdrawal-agreement-bill/ MPs pass Second Reading of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill – News from Parliament UK Parliament English 2020-01-22 https://web.archive.org/web/20200112211801/https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2019/december/withdrawal-agreement-bill/ 2020-01-12 live For the Conservative Party, the election meant a shift from a fairly weak administration in the hung parliament of 2017 to 2019 to governing with a majority on a scale they had not known since the early 1990s, potentially, setting them up to remain in power for many years to come.https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40237833 10 ways the PM blew her majority Wheeler Alex Hunt and Brian 2017-06-14 BBC News 2020-01-22 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20190523034515/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2017-40237833 2019-05-23 livehttps://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50776671 Johnson: I will repay the trust of voters 2019-12-13 BBC News 2020-01-22 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20200115102423/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50776671 2020-01-15 live For the Labour Party, the defeat meant an end to the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn with preparations beginning for a new leadership and deputy leadership contest in early 2020 whilst rekindling debates within the party and beyond about its tactical and ideological future.https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50766114 Corbyn: I will not lead Labour at next election 2019-12-13 BBC News 2020-01-22 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20200128174713/https://www.bbc.com/news/election-2019-50766114 2020-01-28 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/31/only-way-labour-win-ditch-labourism-corbyn The only way Labour can win is by ditching 'Labourism' Jeremy Gilbert Gilbert Jeremy 2019-12-31 The Guardian 2020-01-22 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20200111150721/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/dec/31/only-way-labour-win-ditch-labourism-corbyn 2020-01-11 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/21/crushed-by-brexit-how-labour-lost-the-election 'Crushed by Brexit': how Labour lost the election Stewart Heather 2020-01-21 The Guardian 2020-01-22 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20200122000012/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/jan/21/crushed-by-brexit-how-labour-lost-the-election 2020-01-22 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/21/keir-starmer-soft-left-approach-unifying-labour Keir Starmer's soft-left approach is the unifying force that Labour needs Zoe Williams Williams Zoe 2020-01-21 The Guardian 2020-01-22 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20200122003202/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/21/keir-starmer-soft-left-approach-unifying-labour 2020-01-22 livehttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/08/labour-membership-doesnt-want-return-to-1997 Labour members want something new – not a return to 1997 Owen Jones Jones Owen 2020-01-08 The Guardian 2020-01-22 en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20200118000333/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jan/08/labour-membership-doesnt-want-return-to-1997 2020-01-18 live For the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson's unseating at the election also meant a fresh leadership election in the new year.https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51164894 New Liberal Democrat leader in place by mid-July 2020-01-18 BBC News 2020-01-22 en-GB https://web.archive.org/web/20200119110629/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-51164894 2020-01-19 live Whilst, for the SNP, dominance in Scotland renewed hopes for a second Scottish independence referendum.https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/13/nicola-sturgeon-to-publish-independence-referendum-blueprint Scottish independence vote a 'democratic right', says Sturgeon Carrell Severin 2019-12-13 The Guardian 2020-01-22 Brooks Libby en-GB 0261-3077 https://web.archive.org/web/20200115004803/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/dec/13/nicola-sturgeon-to-publish-independence-referendum-blueprint 2020-01-15 live See also Brexit 2010s in political history 2020s in United Kingdom political history Nigel Farage References Category:2010 United Kingdom general election Category:2015 United Kingdom general election Category:2017 United Kingdom general election Category:2019 United Kingdom general election Category:Brexit