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brexit

The United Kingdom has seen a lot of political shuffling in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union.

Here's your guide to understanding it:


Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron leaves Number 10 Downing Street to attend Prime Minister's Questions at parliament in London, Britain June 29, 2016.

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron leaves Number 10 Downing Street to attend Prime Minister's Questions at parliament in London, Britain June 29, 2016.

NEIL HALL/REUTERS

The Conservative power void:

Prime Minister David Cameron resigned the day after the referendum vote, taking the fall for calling the referendum and campaigning hard for Britain to remain in the EU.

Former London mayor Boris Johnson announced he will not run for leadership for Britain's ruling Conservative Party in London, on June 30, 2016. Matt Dunham/AP

There are five candidates vying to replace him and the betting is on Home Secretary Theresa May.

She is considered a steady hand in a turbulent time. But she campaigned for Remain in the referendum and hasn't done much to curb immigration – a big issue for many who backed Brexit.

Her main challengers – Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom and Justice Secretary Michael Gove – backed Vote Leave and both have insisted that the next Prime Minister should be someone who supports Brexit.

From left to right: Theresa May taken June 30, 2016; Michael Gove taken May 11, 2016; Liam Fox taken June 30, 2016; Stephen Crabb taken March 22, 2016.

From left to right: Theresa May taken June 30, 2016; Michael Gove taken May 11, 2016; Liam Fox taken June 30, 2016; Stephen Crabb taken March 22, 2016.

(AP Photo)

Boris Johnson, who decided not to run after being undercut by Mr. Gove, has kept largely out of public view but managed to write his regular column in the Daily Telegraph on Monday in which he mocked those who support the EU and called on the government to move quickly to come up with a Brexit plan.

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Nigel Farage, leader of the U.K. Independence Party (UKIP), gestures whilst speaking during a news conference to announce his resignation as UKIP party leader at the Emmanuel Centre in London, U.K., on Monday, July 4, 2016. Farage resigned saying that his victory in the referendum on leaving the European Union represented a career high to go out on

Nigel Farage, leader of the U.K. Independence Party (UKIP), gestures whilst speaking during a news conference to announce his resignation as UKIP party leader at the Emmanuel Centre in London, U.K., on Monday, July 4, 2016. Farage resigned saying that his victory in the referendum on leaving the European Union represented a career high to go out on

Simon Dawson/Reuters

Sudden UKIP vacancy:

Nigel Farage has been the driving force behind UKIP since its creation in the early 1990s. It has been a tumultuous journey. Mr. Farage has quit before, including last year, only to return. He has also faced many internal battles and doesn’t get along with the party’s only MP, Douglas Carswell.

Mr. Farage said on Monday that he is quitting for good this time, though he plans to remain as a member of the European Parliament and to keep active within the party.

Likely successors include Mr. Carswell and two UKIP MEPs; deputy party leader Paul Nutall and Steven Woolfe, the party spokesman on immigration.

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In recent days, more than 60 MPs have resigned their front-bench positions in protest of British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

In recent days, more than 60 MPs have resigned their front-bench positions in protest of British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

Chris Radburn/Getty Images

Labour party turmoil:

A revolt has been raging since the days after the referendum with a wide majority of MPs calling for leader Jeremy Corbyn to resign. Mr. Corbyn has never been popular among the party’s MPs. He was elected leader last September under new rules that gave party members more power in selecting the leader. Mr. Corbyn has strong support from Momentum, a group of activists who helped elect him. The party is now facing a dilemma: If MPs force a leadership vote and Mr. Corbyn wins thanks to the backing of Momentum, many believe the party could fall apart.

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Green Party change up:

Party leader Natalie Bennett announced in May that she will be stepping down in August after the party did badly in local elections. Former leader, and the party's only MP, Caroline Lucas, is the leading contender.


Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and his wife, Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, arrive to vote at Hall Park centre polling station in Sheffield, England, on May 7, 2015.

Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg and his wife, Miriam Gonzalez Durantez, arrive to vote at Hall Park centre polling station in Sheffield, England, on May 7, 2015.

PAUL ELLIS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES


Liberal Democrats:

The party elected MP Tim Farron as leader last July. He replaced Nick Clegg who resigned after the party’s disastrous showing in the general election when it won just eight seats.



The timeline:

June 24

Prime Minister David Cameron steps down.

June 25

Labour party veteran MP Hilary Benn launches a revolt against leader Jeremy Corbyn. Mr. Corbyn fires Mr. Benn from his shadow cabinet post.

June 27:

Dozens of Labour MPs quit their shadow cabinet posts in a bid to force out Mr. Corbyn. Hundreds of activists hold a rally outside Parliament to support Mr. Corbyn.

June 28:

Labour MPs hold a non-confidence vote in Mr. Corbyn's leadership, it passes 172 to 40. Mr. Corbyn refuses to quit.

June 29:

Labour MP Angela Eagle announces she will force a leadership vote against Mr. Corbyn if he doesn't resign.

June 30:
Justice Minister Michael Gove stuns the Tories by announcing he will run for the leadership despite saying for weeks he was not interested in becoming Prime Minister. The move undercuts presumed front runner Boris Johnson, who led the Vote Leave campaign with Mr. Gove and expected his support.

Mr. Johnson announces he will not run for the leadership.

Home Secretary Theresa May, who backed the Remain side in the referendum, announces she will run for the Tory leadership, making her the new front runner.

July 3:

Labour Party officials scramble to find a solution to the growing leadership crisis and consider some kind of mediation.

July 4:

Nigel Farage resigns as leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party.

Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, a leading figure in the Vote Leave campaign, officially launches her campaign to become Tory leader.

Ms. Eagle reiterates that she will challenge Mr. Corbyn's leadership unless he resigns. Mr. Corbyn says he is staying put.

July 5:

330 Tory MPs begin the first round of voting to select two leadership candidates. The finalists will be submitted to party members for a vote to determine which one will become the new leader.

Five MPs are running for leader: Ms. May, Mr. Gove, Ms. Leadsom, Liam Fox and Stephen Crabb. Ms. May is believed to have the support of more than 100 MPs, Ms. Leadsom around 30, Mr. Gove and Mr. Crabb around 20 each, and Mr. Fox about 10.


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