European Council Renegotiation Update
Updates Parliament on negotiations and says the substance of an EU agreement matters more than speed.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
2016 in Great Britain
Explore 164 historical events and records for Great Britain in 2016.
Historical records for Great Britain in 2016
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 164 unique records.
164Unique records
1 of 5Page
24Named events on this page
23Named people on this page
11Places on this page
January
Blackstar
Releases Blackstar on his sixty-ninth birthday, a final studio album made with Tony Visconti and jazz musicians.
Death of David Bowie
Dies in New York two days after the release of Blackstar, closing one of popular music's most influential careers.
Life Chances Programme
Sets out a social reform agenda focused on improving life chances for disadvantaged families.
Defoe Scores Survival Hat Trick Against Swansea
Defoe scores three times in a 4–2 away win over Swansea City, underlining his importance to Sunderland's survival hopes.
Davos Economic Address
Uses the World Economic Forum to discuss Britain's economy, employment and European reform.
Davos EU Reform Case
Uses the World Economic Forum to argue for reform of Britain's European Union membership terms.
February
EU Renegotiation Progress Statement
Reports to the House of Commons on draft proposals emerging from the European Union renegotiation.
Brexit
Secures a renegotiated EU membership deal at the European Council.
EU Renegotiation
Secures a renegotiated EU membership deal at the European Council.
Brexit
Announces that the EU membership referendum will be held on 23 June 2016.
Brexit
Campaigns for Leave after the referendum date is announced.
Brexit
Declares support for leaving the European Union.
Brexit
Announces his support for Leave as a senior cabinet minister.
Brexit
Supports Remain as First Minister of Wales.
Brexit
Campaigns for Scotland to remain in the European Union.
Referendum Date
Announces that the EU membership referendum will be held on 23 June 2016.
Brexit
Announces support for the campaign to leave the European Union.
Brexit
Backs Leave, becoming one of the campaign's highest-profile Conservative figures.
Boris Johnson Leave Decision
Criticises Boris Johnson's decision to support Leave, arguing that uncertainty about such a fundamental choice favours remaining in the European Union.
Brexit
Addresses Parliament in support of remaining in the European Union.
Brexit
Supports the Remain campaign as Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Remain Campaign
Addresses Parliament in support of remaining in the European Union.
Leave Campaign
Supports leaving the European Union as Leader of the House of Commons.
March
EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee Service Ends
Completes his recorded service on the House of Lords EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee.
Death of George Martin
Dies aged ninety after a career that reshaped record production and the Beatles' studio sound.
Brexit
Resigns from cabinet during the referendum period and campaigns for Leave.
April
Panama Papers
Faces questions over family finances after the Panama Papers revelations.
Brexit
Vote Leave is designated the official Leave campaign.
Brexit
Vote Leave is designated the official campaign for leaving the European Union.
Leave Campaign Designated
Designated official campaign for leaving the European Union.
Remain Campaign Designated
Designated official campaign for remaining in the European Union.
Brexit
Campaigns for Remain after Labour confirms its position.
Remain Campaign Fundraising
Attends a Britain Stronger in Europe fundraising event alongside business and political figures supporting continued European Union membership.
Brexit
Gives a speech supporting remaining in the European Union.
Townsend Free Kick Against Crystal Palace
Townsend scores a vital free kick against Crystal Palace as Benítez's Newcastle battle to avoid Premier League relegation.
May
Remain Campaign Young Voters
Argues during the referendum campaign that younger pro-European voters need to be mobilised to participate in the vote.
Brexit
Is elected Mayor of London during the referendum campaign and supports Remain.
Mark Noble Captains Farewell to Upton Park
Mark Noble leads West Ham United in the final men’s first-team match at the Boleyn Ground, a 3-2 win over Manchester United.
Allardyce Preserves Sunderland Premier League Place
Allardyce's side defeats Everton 3–0 to confirm Premier League survival and relegate rivals Newcastle United and Norwich City.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.