John Major7 February 1992
Signs the Maastricht Treaty, deepening Conservative divisions over Europe.
Great Britain · Government / Conservative Party Government. Chronological records rendered directly from the World History Database.
Signs the Maastricht Treaty, deepening Conservative divisions over Europe.
Conservative Eurosceptic MPs rebel in favour of a referendum on EU membership.
Promises an in-out referendum on European Union membership if the Conservatives win the next election.
Wins a Conservative majority on a manifesto promising an EU membership referendum.
The European Union Referendum Bill is introduced in Parliament.
The European Union Referendum Act receives royal assent.
Secures a renegotiated EU membership deal at the European Council.
Announces that the EU membership referendum will be held on 23 June 2016.
Declares support for leaving the European Union.
Announces his support for Leave as a senior cabinet minister.
Addresses Parliament in support of remaining in the European Union.
Supports the Remain campaign as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Resigns from cabinet during the referendum period and campaigns for Leave.
Gives a speech supporting remaining in the European Union.
Responds to the referendum result as Foreign Secretary.
Makes a statement seeking to calm markets after the referendum result.
Enters the Conservative leadership contest after the referendum.
Withdraws from the Conservative leadership contest.
Becomes Conservative leader after Andrea Leadsom withdraws.
Becomes Conservative leader after Andrea Leadsom withdraws from the contest.
Leaves office after the Brexit referendum result and hands office to Theresa May.
Appointed Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union.
Appointed International Trade Secretary in the new Brexit-focused government.
Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer by Theresa May.
Appointed Foreign Secretary in Theresa May's first cabinet.
Becomes Prime Minister after David Cameron resigns.
The Department for Exiting the European Union begins work.
The government accepts Parliament will vote on the final Brexit deal.
Sets out Brexit objectives in the Lancaster House speech.
Introduces the European Union Notification of Withdrawal Bill.
The European Union Notification of Withdrawal Act receives royal assent.
The United Kingdom gives formal notice of withdrawal from the European Union.
Calls for an early general election during the Brexit process.
Loses the Conservative majority in a Brexit-dominated general election.
Formal Brexit negotiations begin with the European Union.
Introduces the European Union Withdrawal Bill.
Delivers the Florence speech on the Brexit transition and future relationship.
Agrees the phase one joint report with the European Union.
The UK and EU publish a joint report on phase one of Brexit negotiations.
Delivers the Mansion House speech on the future UK-EU relationship.
The European Union Withdrawal Act receives royal assent.
Cabinet agrees the Chequers plan for Brexit.
Resigns as Brexit Secretary over the Chequers approach.
Resigns as Foreign Secretary over the Brexit strategy.
Appointed Brexit Secretary after David Davis resigns.
EU leaders criticise the Chequers plan at the Salzburg summit.
Cabinet backs the draft Withdrawal Agreement.
Resigns as Brexit Secretary over the draft Withdrawal Agreement.
Appointed Brexit Secretary after Dominic Raab resigns.
EU leaders endorse the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration.
Postpones the first meaningful vote on the Withdrawal Agreement.
Survives a Conservative confidence vote over her Brexit leadership.
The United Kingdom leaves the European Union.
Resigns as Brexit minister.
Introduces the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill.
Agrees the Windsor Framework with the European Union.
Wins Commons approval for the Stormont brake element of the Windsor Framework.
Marks four years since the United Kingdom formally left the European Union.
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