Brexit day: what will change after Friday?
EU citizenship ends for Brits, MEPs leave their roles and there's no turning back
After years of negotiation, controversy and confusion, when the clock strikes 11pm on Friday, Britain will leave the European Union. This historic moment, anticipated by some and dreaded by others, will see a number of changes.
But what will change? “Not a lot,” according to Euronews. “Most people in the UK and Europe will see no difference at all,” it adds.
This is because the UK will remain in the single market and the customs union until the end of the year as part of transition arrangements. Only after that will the biggest changes be felt.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
However, while the most obvious impacts will come after the trade negotiations are either completed or abandoned, several changes will kick in on Friday.
EU citizenship ends
Holding a UK passport will no longer make you a citizen of the EU. However, EU travel benefits will continue to apply during the transition period. This means that although the HM Passport Office has begun to issue new documents without the “European Union” wording, UK citizens will still be able to travel within the EU during the transition period.
Citizens’ rights
A new deal will come into force aiming to protect the rights of three million EU citizens living in the UK and one million British citizens residing in the EU.
For the duration of the transition period, the arrangement will allow UK citizens to remain where they live and to continue receiving health care and pensions overseas.
It will also permanently grant residence rights to EU citizens living in the UK.
MEPs leave roles
The 73 MEPs who represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the European Parliament will leave their roles. The UK's newly vacated parliament seats will be spread out among the EU's 27 remaining countries. The BBC says that Spain and France will gain five more seats in a process that takes into account the population of a country.
Whitehall changes
The Department for Exiting the EU will be replaced by a Task Force Europe unit, within the Cabinet Office, led by David Frost, who will oversee negotiations for trade partnerships.
No more summits
The UK will stop going to EU summits, as Britain ceases to be part of EU decision-making structures. However, this will not be a drastic change because since September UK officials had already stopped attending most EU meetings.
No turning back
Probably the most significant change is the irreversibility of the exit. As of 11pm on Friday there’s no turning back: Britain cannot revoke Article 50 and will not be a part of the EU unless it applies to join.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Chas Newkey-Burden has been part of The Week Digital team for more than a decade and a journalist for 25 years, starting out on the irreverent football weekly 90 Minutes, before moving to lifestyle magazines Loaded and Attitude. He was a columnist for The Big Issue and landed a world exclusive with David Beckham that became the weekly magazine’s bestselling issue. He now writes regularly for The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, Metro, FourFourTwo and the i new site. He is also the author of a number of non-fiction books.
-
Why au pairs might become a thing of the past
Under The Radar Brexit and wage ruling are threatening the 'mutually beneficial arrangement'
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
'Europe is now beginning to tackle its military to-do list'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How Finland's tightening presidential race could affect future of Europe
Under the radar Country has key geostrategic position along Nato's longest border with an increasingly belligerent Russia
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published