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TIMELINE: Key Brexit dates

Britain is attempting to renegotiate the terms of its Brexit deal before Oct. 31, when it is scheduled to leave the European Union. Here are the key dates between now and Brexit day.

U.K. has to try to renegotiate Brexit deal by Oct. 31

Thomson Reuters ·
Anti-Brexit protester Steve Bray demonstrates at Downing Street in London in June. The Brexit fallout led to Theresa May's departure as prime minister, to be replaced by Boris Johnson. (Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

Britain is due to appoint a new prime minister and attempt to renegotiate the terms of its Brexit deal, before Oct. 31, when it is scheduled to leave the European Union.

Here are the key dates between now and Brexit day.

Leadership contest

The ruling Conservative Party held a contest to select a new leader to replace Theresa May as prime minister and head the party.

The winner was selected by a postal ballot of some 160,000 Conservative Party members.

July 22: Voting closes.

July 23: Boris Johnson wins the Conservative Party leadership race by a significant margin. 

July 24: May hands over power to Johnson. 

Newly elected leader of the Conservative party Johnson arrives at party HQ in London on July 23, 2019. (Aaron Chown/PA via Associated Press)

She will depart her Downing Street office and travel to Parliament, where she will host her final question-and-answer session as prime minister.

Later, May will travel to see Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace and formally stand down. The new prime minister travels to visit the Queen and is asked to form a government. He is then expected to enter Downing Street.

Parliament

Johnson could face an immediate test of his ability to govern. The opposition Labour Party could bring forward a motion of no confidence. To survive, the prime minister would need to win a vote in Parliament.

If a government loses a vote of confidence, it has 14 days to try to win another vote or an election is triggered.

July 25: Parliament is due to break up for its summer recess. If a vote of no confidence were to be held before lawmakers leave for summer break, it would have to take place on this day.

Protests abounded over the Brexit deal, including this rally March 23 in London calling for a public vote. (Ian Forsyth/Getty Images)

Sept. 3: Parliament is scheduled to resume for a short session that typically lasts around two weeks before there is another break while the political parties hold their annual conferences. The exact length of this session has not been announced.

Early/mid-October: Parliament resumes following the party conferences. The exact dates for this session have not been announced.

Under British law, any new Brexit deal would need approval by Parliament before it can be ratified. The original deal negotiated by May has been rejected three times, and no new deal is currently under consideration.

Oct. 31: Britain is due to leave the European Union.

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