Update 24.6.16 UK decided to quit EU in historic referendum or BREXIT Poll After 43 years, Britain finally decided to come out of EC or EU (European Union) 17,410,742 British National said NO to EU and 16,141,241 voted to Remain in the EU. Its about 52% LEAVE and 48% REMAIN in the EU vote.
Pic - Split UK-EU flag https://www.flickr.com/photos/joegoauk8/27769916782/ What next? If they decide to trigger Article 50 of the EU Lisbon Treaty (Formal notification to European Council of its intention to leave the membership) it will take at least 2 years from now to formally come out of the EU (European Union). Until such time all existing EU treaty laws /rules etc shall apply to UK except it will have no say in the decision making of EU policies etc. Under Article 50, several modalities involved including negotiation process with the other 27 EU Member States etc and as such the two year period may not be enough to meet the deadline, UK can ask for more time which could mean it will take lot more time.. Two year mandatory period starts from the day UK invoke Article 50 and not the day on which referendum / Brexit results were declared. UK outgoing Prime Minister Cameron saying he is leaving it to his successor (new PM) which could mean up to 4 months from now. Can Britain come out of EU bypassing Article 50 of Lisbon Treaty? Well, exploring other alternate quick exit routes (if any) by some pro-BREXIT groups etc cannot be ruled out. I read somewhere (see source link) that it may be possible by invoking relevant Clause of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of the United Nations. It was said there is a provision for alternative exit route from a Treaty if there is a ‘fundamental change of circumstances’ and that UK referendum 'vote for Leave' can be deemed to constitute 'a fundamental change of circumstances’. Notice period for withdrawal in this case is 3 months or even less. More on Portuguese passport, Citizenship etc http://joegoauk-pointofview.blogspot.in/2013/04/of-portuguese-citizenship-passport-etc.html or http://goo.gl/ehQ5qI
