Brexit one year on: What has happened in the 12 months since the EU referendum?

March: Thousands joined the London protest
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Exactly one year ago today the nation went to the polls to cast their vote on one of the biggest political decisions for decades.

As Brits woke up on June 24 the results showed just how close the vote has been - with 51.9 backing Leave, and 48.1 percent supporting Remain.

After a campaign described by many as one of the most divisive politics had seen, the country now faced the mammoth task of developing a plan to exit the European Union.

Here's what happened next:

June 24: Cameron’s out

Following the shock result, Prime Minister David Cameron – who had encouraged the country to vote to stay in the EU – announced he was stepping down from the role.

Flanked by his wife Samantha outside Number 10, he read a statement to the world’s media.

The moment David Cameron quit as PM after Britain voted to leave the EU
Getty

“The country has just taken part in a giant democratic exercise, perhaps the biggest in our history,” he said.

“The British people have voted to leave the European Union and their will must be respected. I'm very proud and very honoured to have been prime minister of this country for six years.

“But the British people have made a very clear decision to take a different path and as such I think the country requires fresh leadership to take it in this direction.

“This is not a decision I've taken lightly but I do believe it's in the national interest to have a period of stability and then the new leadership required.”

July 2: Thousands march through London in anti-Brexit rally

Around 30,000 people took to the capital’s streets after the referendum in a mass call for the UK to remain in the EU.

Anti-Brexit 'March for Europe' protest

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Organisers of the March for Europe claimed the event was a rallying cry for those who did not wish to “accept the referendum as the final say”.

The crowds marched from Hyde Park to Parliament Square carrying placards reading “We want Breturn” and “We heart EU”.

July 4: Farage steps down

Days later, Brexit supporter Nigel Farage announced he would be standing down as leader of Ukip saying that his “political ambition has been achieved”.

He had been one of the biggest champions of leaving the EU and described the day of the result as the UK’s “independence day”.

Mr Farage announced his decision to stand aside in a speech in London, saying: "I want my life back, and it begins right now."

He later took over the role again temporarily after Diana James quit.

July 13: May officially becomes Prime Minister

After David Cameron’s resignation, his Conservative colleagues launched into a leadership battle – with Michael Gove, Theresa May and Boris Johnson named as early frontrunners.

Prime Minister: Theresa May
AP

But after Mr Johnson shocked many by declining to enter the race and his former ally Mr Gove crashed out of the battle, only Theresa May and Andrea Leadsom remained.

Cue some misguided comments by Mrs Leadsom about motherhood – seemingly a snipe at Mrs May – and the way was clear for the former Home Secretary to take over the premiership.

Theresa May's new cabinet

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On July 13 Mrs May was invited to form a government by the Queen and became Britain’s second ever female Prime Minister.

November 3: High Court blow to Theresa May’s Brexit plans

A landmark ruling at the High Court, upheld at the Supreme Court in January, stated Theresa May had to give MPs a vote before triggering Article 50.

Campaigners launched the legal action by arguing Mrs May had no constitutional right to take a step that would extinguish British rights established in law over 40 years ago and it was for Parliament to decide.

Ruling: Gina Miller
AFP/Getty Images

Businesswoman Gina Miller, who brought the case with hairdresser Dier Dos Santos, branded the result a “victory for democracy”.

February 8: MPs back Brexit Bill

The House of Commons approved the Brexit bill at its third reading, allowing the Prime Minister to begin withdrawal talks under Article 50.

After two days of debate, the House voted in favour of the bill by 494 to 122 - a majority of 372.

It cleared the Lords unamended one month later on March 13, with Brexit Secretary David Davis watching from the bar of the House.

March 29: Article 50 triggered

The letter informing the European Council of Britain's intention to leave the EU was handed over to European Council president Donald Tusk in Brussels.

The declaration, signed by Theresa May, set in train a two-year process of negotiation under Article 50 of the EU treaties leading to Britain's expected withdrawal in 2019.

It was personally hand-delivered to Mr Tusk by the UK's permanent representative to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow.

June 9: Theresa May’s election gamble goes disastrously wrong

The Prime Minister’s decision to call a snap election, billed as a way to increase her authority in Brexit negotiations, backfired in dramatic style.

A catastrophic result for the Conservatives saw their majority wiped out and left them seeking a deal with the DUP.

Election: Theresa May
Sky News

Summing up 12 months of unexpected poll results, a jubilant Jeremy Corbyn said: “Politics has changed. Politics isn't going back into the box where it was before.”

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