EU referendum | Sixty years of strained relations

• 1957

  Treaty of Rome is signed

  France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, six founding members of the European Economic Community, sign the Treaty of Rome, but Britain withdraws from early talks.

• 1963

  France vetoes UK joining Common Market

  French President Charles de Gaulle vetoed Britain's entry in 1963

  With its economy flagging, Britain makes its first attempt to join the Common Market but is vetoed by Charles de Gaulle. The French President accuses Britain of a “deep-seated hostility” towards the European initiative.

• 1973

  Britain joins EEC

  With de Gaulle out of office, Britain is allowed into the European Economic Community at last, but within a year calls for major reform of Common Agricultural Policy as well as changes in way the budget is financed.

• 1975

  EEC referendum

  Harold Wilson held a referendum on membership REX FEATURES

  Harold Wilson’s Labour government holds a referendum over EEC membership, which splits the party but results on two thirds of British voters saying they want to stay in.

• 1983

  Michael Foot defeated

  Labour leader Michael Foot promises withdrawal from EEC in his election manifesto, but his party is heavily beaten by Margaret Thatcher’s Conservatives.

• 1984

  Thatcher wins Brussels rebate

  Margaret Thatcher won a rebate in row over contributions

  A key victory for Mrs Thatcher sees her win a “rebate” from Brussels. She had threatened to halt contributions because Britain was receiving far less in agricultural subsidies than some other members, notably France.

• 1990

  Britain joins Exchange Rate Mechanism

  Britain joins the Exchange Rate Mechanism, 11 years after it was set up to harmonise European countries’ financial systems before the creation of a single currency.

• 1992

  Black Wednesday

  In what became known as Black Wednesday, Britain is forced to withdraw from the European Exchange Rate Mechanism, after failing to stem intense currency speculation.

• 1997

  Single European Currency

  Britain declares it will not be joining the euro for the duration of that parliament, after the single currency fails Gordon Brown’s ‘five golden tests’.

• 1999

  British beef row

  France's reaction to Britain's 'mad cow' outbreak created long running tensions

  Tensions rise over France’s ban on British beef during the “mad cow” disease outbreak. France given an ultimatum from Brussels but the ban is not lifted until years later.

• 2007

  The Lisbon Treaty

  Gordon Brown misses a televised ceremony of leaders signing Lisbon Treaty, which hands greater powers to Brussels. The controversial treaty took two years to negotiate, after plans for an official constitution were abandoned.

• 2011

  Bank levy clash

  David Cameron clashes with Europe over plans to introduce a levy on banks and restrict London’s financial sector. The Prime Minister promises to bring back powers from Brussels.

• 2013

  Cameron makes referendum pledge

  David Cameron promises an “In-Out” referendum if he wins the 2015 general election, which he does. He reiterates his manifesto commitment to hold a referendum before the end of 2017.

• February 2016

  EU referendum deal

  David Cameron negotiated a new deal for UK and will now let the public have their say

  David Cameron negotiates “new EU deal” for UK after 30 hours of talks but has to make series of concessions. The Prime Minister then announces the referendum will be held on June 23.

• 23 June 2016

  Referendum

  REUTERS/Neil Hall

  In a close-run vote, the British public decides to exit the European Union. An emotional David Cameron resigns as prime minister the next day.