On what date did the Brexit referendum take place?

The Brexit referendum took place on 23 June 2016.

Formally called the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, the vote asked whether the UK should remain a member of the European Union or leave. Voting took place across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Gibraltar under the European Union Referendum Act 2015.

The referendum followed Prime Minister David Cameron’s 2015 election pledge and a renegotiation of the UK’s membership terms. Cameron announced the voting date on 20 February 2016, beginning an intense campaign between the Remain and Leave sides. The result was 51.9% for Leave and 48.1% for Remain, with turnout of about 72%.

The date is sometimes confused with 24 June because the final result was announced in the early morning of that day. However, polls closed and counting began on 23 June; 24 June was the date when the outcome was formally declared. The referendum itself was legally advisory, and the UK later left the EU on 31 January 2020.