United Kingdom withdrawal from the European Union

Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, often shortened to Brexit (a portmanteau combining the words "Britain" and "exit"), is a political aim of some advocacy groups, individuals and political parties in the United Kingdom (UK). The central group of advocates for Brexit is VoteLeave, which is composed of a broad range of groups ranging from Labour to Conservative. In 1975 a referendum was held on the country's membership of the European Economic Community (EEC), a precursor to the European Union (EU). The outcome of the vote was that the country continued to be a member of the EEC. A referendum on the country's membership of the EU will be held on 23 June 2016 following the passing of the European Union Referendum Act 2015.