How the EU works

Europe

The UK can’t be forced to leave the EU or to join the euro

By Joël Reland • 3 mins

The UK cannot be forced to join the euro if it remains a member of the EU. The EU could apply political pressure on the UK to do so, but this is highly unlikely in the current political context. Read

Europe

Can Spain really veto the withdrawal bill?

By Joël Reland • 1 min

This article is part of our Ask Full Fact series on Brexit, answering your questions about Brexit and the latest negotiations between the UK and the EU. Read

Europe

Three things you might want to know about the government’s preparations for a No Deal Brexit

By Abbas Panjwani and Joël Reland • 3 mins

A number of new guidance documents came out today, and we’ve picked out just three things that could directly affect you. Read

Europe

How the EU works: what is the customs union?

By Alex Stojanovic, researcher at the Institute for Government • 3 mins

The EU’s customs union was first established in 1968 by the six founding member states of the current EU (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands). Read

Europe

How many countries are in the EU?

By Richard Braham • 2 mins

Maps to guide you through a sea of acronyms. Read

Europe

Ask Full Fact: did we vote for the EU in the 1975 referendum?

By Catherine Crick • 4 mins

The 1975 referendum on the UK's membership of the European Community wasn't presented as just a trade agreement. Read

Europe

What would Brexit mean for criminal justice?

By J.R. Spencer, Professor Emeritus of Law, University of Cambridge • 4 mins

Criminal law expert J.R. Spencer explains how the EU affects criminal justice in the UK, and how leaving the EU might change things. Read

Europe

How the EU works: leaving the EU

By Steve Peers, Professor of EU Law and Human Rights Law, University of Essex • 5 mins

Professor Steve Peers explains the legal dimension of leaving the EU. The UK would notify the European Council after a leave vote, triggering negotiations. Read

Europe

How the EU works: who runs the EU?

By Paul Craig, Professor in English Law, University of Oxford • 3 mins

Professor Paul Craig explains how the EU is run and how decisions are taken. Read

Europe

How the EU works: which countries are in the EU?

By Sinéad Boultwood • 2 mins

This series of articles answers the most popular Google searches about the EU referendum on 23 June. Read