On 23rd June 2016, the British people exercised their democratic right by voting to leave the European Union. Following the result, David Cameron - who had pledged to invoke Article 50 immediately following a vote to Leave - resigned. His successor, Theresa May declared that Article 50 would not be invoked until the beginning of 2017 at the earliest. More recently, there have been murmurs of further delay in the triggering of Article 50 until after the German and French national elections, pushing back the date until late 2017. 

Britain needs transparency on the government’s intentions. We therefore request the government to provide the public with a definitive timeframe for when Article 50 will be triggered, in addition to a deadline for when the prime minister will trigger it. 

The European Union are clear they will not begin formal exit talks with the UK before Article 50 is invoked. 

Unnecessary delay in triggering Article 50 will turn the referendum into a neverendum. In addition to the 17 million Leave voters who wish to see the government act upon its newfound Brexit mandate, it is critical for financial markets and UK businesses to have certainty on this issue as soon as possible. 

Clarity on the timeframe for the triggering of Article 50 will also put an end to a minority calling for a second referendum, a proposal which 69% of the British public firmly disagree with, according to the latest YouGov poll. 

In order for the government to be held to account on Brexit, the British public must be kept informed on its intentions. It is in the nation's best interests for Article 50 to be invoked as soon as is practicable. The government needs to inform us when that time will be.