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The UK and the European Union

Study note

The UK was a member of the European Union, usually shortened to the EU, for many years. In 2016 a public vote, called a referendum, was held on whether to stay in or leave the EU. As a result of that vote, the UK left the European Union in 2020. This process is often known as Brexit, and the UK is no longer an EU member. It does not use the euro and is not part of the Schengen Area or the Eurozone.

Leaving the EU did not cut the UK off from the wider world. The UK is still a member of many other international organisations. For example, it remains in the United Nations, the Commonwealth and NATO. So if a question asks which body the UK still belongs to, the Commonwealth is correct, while the European Union is the one it left in 2020.

Memory tip: Referendum 2016, the UK left the EU in 2020. Still in the UN and Commonwealth.

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Question 1 of 3

What is the UK's current relationship with the European Union?

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Show all questions and answers for The UK and the European Union(3 questions with explanations)

The UK and the European Union: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. What is the UK's current relationship with the European Union?

    • The UK leads the EU
    • The UK joined the EU in 2020
    • The UK has never been in the EU
    • The UK left the EU in 2020

    Correct answer: The UK left the EU in 2020

    After a 2016 referendum, the UK left the European Union in 2020.

  2. 2. Following a referendum in 2016, in which year did the UK leave the European Union?

    • 2020
    • 2018
    • 2022
    • 2016

    Correct answer: 2020

    The UK left the EU in 2020 after the 2016 referendum.

  3. 3. The UK is a member of which of these organisations?

    • The European Union
    • The Schengen Area
    • The Commonwealth
    • The Eurozone

    Correct answer: The Commonwealth

    The UK is a member of the Commonwealth (it left the EU in 2020).

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