Brexit In Two Minutes: A Very Short Guide To A Very Lengthy Charade

Two general elections, two failed divorce deals, three Prime Ministers and worldwide humiliation. Here's everything you need to know about the history of Brexit.

The referendum on Brexit -- or the British Exit from the European Union -- passed narrowly with 51.9 percent 'Leave' to 48.1 percent 'Remain' on June 23, 2016.

The United Kingdom wanted to take control of its sovereignty by securing borders, boosting the economy and spending money on the National Health Service (NHS) instead of handing cash to the EU in premiums.

Prime Minister David Cameron resigned the day after the referendum and Theresa May took over. The original leave date was March 30, 2019.

May called a snap election for June 8, 2017 to secure more seats in parliament but lost her majority instead -- adding an extra challenge to passing a deal.

As May negotiated the terms of Brexit, fears the UK economy would suffer without a trade deal with the EU emerged. People started stockpiling food and medication in case the UK left the bloc without a new trade plan.

European citizens and businesses in the UK started to fear for their livelihoods and Scotland threatened to leave the UK so they could remain part of the bloc.

May accumulated hours of travel between Brussels and London, only to have her deal rejected by MPs and the Brexit date pushed back to October 31.

The Irish Backstop -- an 'insurance policy' to prevent a hard boarder between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland -- led to May's demise. The Backstop would continue a trading relationship between the EU and the UK -- something many MPs did not support.

Boris Johnson took the top job in July 2019, and replaced the Backstop with a new customs agreement, meaning the UK would build its own trade agreements with countries around the world.

Johnson's deal also includes rights for UK and EU citizens in each other's territories.

Scotland wants to 'Stop Brexit' altogether.

Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon with a clear message on Brexit. Image: Getty Images.

Johnson's deal didn't make it into law, so he called an election to break the deadlock. He's now going head-to-head with Labor leader Jeremy Corbyn to become Britain's fourth leader in as many years.

The election will take place on December 12, 2019 and the Brexit date is now January 20, 2020.

But, whether the UK will leave the EU on that date depends on who is triumphant at the polls.

Contact Siobhan at skenna@networkten.com.au