What happens after Brexit? The BBC explains.


On Thursday, British voters surprised many Europeans — and even, apparently, some Leave voters — by approving a referendum to exit the European Union. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who had called the referendum and led the fight to stay in the EU, announced his resignation. But what happens next? "The first thing to say is that nothing will change immediately," explains the BBC's Rob Watson. "For now, the UK is still part of the EU, until politicians work out what to do next," as laid out in Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. And the negotiations will be intense. Watson doesn't have all the answers — nobody does — but you can get an overview of where post-Brexit Britain stands today, and where it goes next, in the video below. Peter Weber
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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
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