The Year in Politics Review

Now on BBC News: There was the vote to leave

the European Union, the resignation of one Prime Minister,

and the arrival of another - Adam Fleming looks back

on a tumultuous year in British politics in Review 2016:

Ever feel you need to get away from it all?

Especially when ten years worth of politics has been squeezed

I believe that this Thursday can be our country's

me to try and be the captain that steers our country to its next

Tomorrow is going to be a very historic day, I believe that.

I think it will be Brexit plus plus plus,

My picture is very simple, I'm Theresa May and

I'm Adam Fleming, come with me to a secluded log

cabin, there no Wi-Fi, no phone reception,

just you, me and a lot of

It was the issue that split the nation.

In the first part of the year, David Cameron embarked on the

first half of his Europe strategy renegotiating our

membership of the EU with his

It meant lots of these, known in the trade as the

If it was Thursday, it must be Hungary.

Is that the Prime Minister of Slovenia or

It all came to a head at a tense summit in Brussels in

I will be battling for Britain if we can get a good deal I

will take that deal but I will not take a deal that doesn't meet what

Cameron agreement with the Euro bosses limited benefits for

migrants from the EU and exempted Britain from the idea of ever closer

I will go to Parliament and proposethe British

Through an in-out referendum on Thursday the 23rd of

Time for the Cabinet to choose sides.

Six frontbenchers joined the official out campaign, called

Among them, David Cameron's political pal Michael

The world waited to see which way this other beast would jump.

After a weekend of agonising, Boris Johnson left for leave.

The last thing I wanted was to go against

David Cameron or the Government, but after a great

don't think there's anything else I can do.

If that's really what you thought all along, why have you kept

your party waiting for such a long time?

Because truth is that it has been agonisingly difficult.

The other side geared up, launching Britain Stronger In Europe, led by

Sir Stewart Rose, the former boss of M

In a bad-tempered row in Labour about how the party had of

-- handled accusations of anti-Semitism.

In the US, Donald Trump was about to become the

On our side of the Atlantic, MPs criticised

his plan to ban Muslims entering the US.

His comments regarding Muslims are wrong.

His policy to close borders if elected as president,

And if he met one or two of my constituents in one of the

many excellent pubs in my constituency, then they may well

tell him that he is a wazzock for dealing with this issue in this way.

But it was alright because he would never win, which he?

And the Work and Pensions Secretary Iain

Duncan Smith resigned, some thought it was really about Europe.

He said it was because the Government was

That unfairness is damaging to the Government, to the

party, and it is damaging to the public.

Incredibly strong passions have been kindled, now it was time

to fire up the referendum campaign for real.

The remain campaign relied on potential risks, spelt out

in a series of weighty Treasury documents.

Britain would be permanently poorer if we left the

It was all backed up with assertions from the global great and

the good, who claimed Brexit would be bad

for Britain's place in the

Our focus is in negotiating with a big block of the European

And the UK is going to be in the back of the queue.

Negotiations on new arrangements with the European Union

and other trading partners could, in our view, take years.

Which would be bad for your wallet, even when it

It is just not as easy to fly across Europe as it is

A message spelt out in a Government leaflet

Politically the Remain campaign was made up of blue, red, yellow,

The Labour's leader, Jeremy Corbyn, tended to stick to

I believe we have to vote to remain in order to defend

investment, jobs, workers' rights and defend our environment.

He left much of his side's campaigning to

But Leave that its own large red vehicle, let's call it the

CHEERING The UK asparagus will be just as spreading and

Two questions, firstly, where are your wellies?

His message was summed up in three words.

We can take control, if we take back control.

He meant control of immigration the points-based system.

Those who are the brightest and best with the right skills for our

economy would be welcome here and this would be a fairer system.

Control over whether Turkey would eventually join the EU.

This referendum is going to be our last

chance to have a say on that, we are not going to be consulted

or asked to vote on whether we think those

And control of the money Britain sent to

the EU, although that was hotly disputed.

I am staggered Boris Johnson is standing here tonight

still defending this ?350 million a week figure.

It's a scandal that is still emblazoned across the campaign

And there wasn't just one leave campaign.

Nigel Farage and the Ukip crew ran their own with

boats at a tougher tone on immigration.

With the EU is making a mess of virtue everything.

First we had the Eurozone, then the EU's,

asylum policy compounded by Angela Merkel and what we've seen

are huge streams of people coming into Europe over the course of the

last year, no security checks done on anybody.

Or you could sign up for grassroots out, an alliance of Tory

backbenchers and a few other characters.

As the battle went on, leavers capitalise on feelings that there

was something fishy about the entire political establishment.

I think this country has had enough of

experts with organisations from acronyms.

Acronyms saying they know what is best and

Old foes became firm allies but the Tories

things were getting more and

Boris is the life and soul of the party.

But he is not the man you want driving you home at

Blue on blue as it was known turned into all-out

war when George Osborne theorised about a harsher Brexit budget.

The sort of tax rises we could see include a 2p rise on the basic rate

of income tax from 22%, 3p rise in a higher rate of 43%.

It is probably the most irresponsible act by

Chancellor I've seen in 24 years the House of Commons.

The Labour MP Jo Cox is killed in west Yorkshire

The Labour MP and mum of two Jo Cox was murdered in a

Her killer idolised the Nazis and would

later be sentenced to life in prison.

The referendum gave way to reflection.

Campaigning resumed a few days later and there was this

So as you take this decision, whether to remain on leave, do you

think about the hopes and dreams of your children and grandchildren.

The big finish, the BBC's great debate

That is the enormous audience, we have a massive

stage which has lecterns on it, shall we have a debate about the EU?

The closing arguments went like this.

The economists, the scientists, the business leaders, trade unions,

health professionals, they all agree that Britain is better off in.

If we Vote Leave and take back control I believe that

this Thursday can be our country's Independence Day.

On June 23 the UK decided its future.

The British people have spoken and the answer is we are

For leavers, jubilation that they won almost 52%,

For Remainers, who had secured 48%, simply shop.

Early in the morning in Downing Street,

David Cameron announced it was game over.

I will do everything I can as Prime Minister to steady the ship

over the coming weeks and months but I do not

think it would be right for

me to try and be the captain that steers our country to its next

Although I will always remember that look on Sam Cam's

Scotland voted to remain at the First Minister hinted at a

It is a statement of the obvious that the

option of a second referendum must be on the table and it is on the

Back at Westminster, the winners took in the gravity of the

We are still and always have been an exceptionally outward

looking country and we will continue to be so.

And will be a good neighbour and a good

internationalist but we will have taking back control of our

So, can you see where I wanted a bit of peace

and quiet in my log cabin in the woods?

And the vote to leave only takes us halfway through the year.

A heap of books have been written about referendum by journalists,

party donors, David Cameron's former spin

doctor, but to many people what happened next was more

Any message of reassurance for the country?

His profile sky-high after of referendum,

Johnston looked like he might inherit the crown.

My pitch is simple, I'm Theresa May and I think I'm the best

person to be Prime Minister of this country.

Michael Gove launched an attempt that was ultimately doomed.

The problem: He was supposed to be managing

Boris Johnson's bid for the

Having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in

Parliament, I have concluded that person cannot be me.

Yes, his supporters wept on a day that has

become synonymous with Tory treachery.

Over the course of the last few days I've realised that

while Boris does have those special abilities

out, what he did not have was the capacity

to build and to lead that

team and provide leadership this country needs at this critical

The energy minister and energetic Leave campaign, Andrea

But supporters mounted a march on Parliament then

she gave a newspaper interview that was interpreted as her saying she

would make a better PM because she had kids

and her campaign ground to

I have, however, concluded that the interests of our country

are best served by the immediate appointment of a strong and well

So Theresa May arrived in Downing Street.

If you are just managing, I want to address you directly.

I know you're working around the clock, I know

you're doing your best, but I know that sometimes life can be a

The Government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the

We will do everything we can to give you more control over your lives.

She paused plans for a new nuclear power station at Hinkley point over

concerns about Chinese involvement, then give it the go-ahead.

She approved a third runway at Heathrow

with a vote in parliament due in a year.

She plans to lead schools expand in England, and who said she didn't

What message of reassurance does the Prime Minister

have for fat middle-aged white men who may feel that we have been left

That is very interesting point, perhaps my honourable friend

would like to come and see me sometime.

The job of Chancellor went to Philip Hammond,

his nicknames include spreadsheet and box office.

He ditched a target to balance the nation's books by 2020

and Amber Rudd was named Home Secretary, she faced

And we were introduced to the three Brexiteers, the International Trade

Secretary William Fox-Pitt, rice secretary David Davis and old joke,

rebooted as Foreign Secretary. Spreading charm. And keeping

comedians and work. Foreign Secretary from the subject of

Europe, is Brexit living up to all of your hopes and expectations for

Britain so far? Of course, Brexit has already been a wonderful

journey. Boris Johnson, what do you say? I would say, we never really

expected to win I think behind Brexit a bit of a laugh does blush

the numbers all over bus. Islam is the Tories other leading lady with

Davidson was having a blast. -- in Scotland. The Conservatives steamed

in second in a letter to the Scottish Parliament, forcing Labour

into third place north of the border.

Labour found itself with a bit of a puzzle, its leader Jeremy Corbyn was

immensely popular with party members, not so much with his

members of Parliament are some of whom described his performance in

the referendum campaign is pretty lacklustre. Morning. Early one

morning the Shadow Foreign Secretary Hilary Benn was sacked, much of the

rest of the Shadow Cabinet packed their bags, including Angela Eagle.

You found this personally very difficult. Yes. I feel I have served

in the best way I can and today I had to go. She launched a leadership

challenge but dropped out when the Welsh Labour MP on Smith got more

support. Can we get through please? At a fractious party meets and there

was a row about whether Jeremy Corbyn could automatically stand in

the contest. Yes, he could and there was a court case over which members

and supporters could actually vote. No, not all of them. Owen Smith

presented himself as a more competent Corbyn. I think the party

that I love and the party that has been such an engine for social

change and an engine for justice in this country is in jeopardy of not

being able to do that, in danger of not being able to form a future

Labour Government and change people's lives for the better. Well

he crisscrossed the country, often by train, getting into a furious row

with virgin about whether he could get a seat. Didn't stop him winning

the election as leader and with a bigger share of the vote than

before. We are proud as a party that we are not afraid to discuss openly,

to debate and disagree, that is essential for a party that wants to

change people's lives for the better, that is not prepared to

accept things as they are. It is also an essential part of what has

drawn over half a million people into membership of what is now the

largest political party anywhere in Western Europe. Coggan cosmic Labour

Party had victories elsewhere, like the mayoral election in Bristol.

Sadiq Khan was elected Mayor of London. It was also the first that

everyone is proud of her stride and the of immigrants. The former

terrorist Shadoff -- Shadow Chancellor and bolted surprisingly

well on strictly. He's jumping up and down. Jurors had time for fun

catching some Pokemon with me in a park. The party ended the year where

it started with Jeremy Corbyn at its centre. A previously belligerent,

Tony Blair, came under scrutiny with the publication of the Chilcott

enquiry's report into the Iraq war. It was 2.3 million words long. The

decision to go to war in Iraq and to remove Saddam Hussein from power in

a Cornish and over 40 countries led by the USA as much in a coalition of

over. Was the hardest, most momentous and agonising decision I

took in my ten years as Prime Minister. Now, Ukip, where to start?

After basically causing the referendum and then winning it,

Nigel Farage resigned as you can leader. During the referendum

campaign I said that I want my country back. What I'm saying today

is I want my life back. And it begins right now, thank you. Diane

James exited him but didn't much like the look of it and quit after

18 days. -- succeeded him. Steven Woolfe was hospitalised following an

alleged laptop with a fellow in the B after he left hospital he left

Ukip. I will be withdrawing my application to become leader of Ukip

and I'm actually withdrawing myself from Ukip. You are resigning from

the party. Yes, with immediate effect. The next leadership contest

was won by Paul Nuttall. There are open goal is in British politics

today. But Ukip has to be on the pitch to kick the ball into the back

of the empty net and that "Is no more apparent than when it comes to

the Labour Party. The welcomer Farage was making client -- friends

and with the Beagle in the USA. I've just received a call from Secretary

Clinton. CHEERING

She congratulated us, it is about us, on our victory and I

congratulated her and her family. The Nigel visited the Donald in

Trump Tower shortly after his victory. Mr Trump renew here today?

No, we're just tourists. Prompting this tweet.

No thanks, said the British Government. Hang on, we haven't

mentioned Brexit for about four minutes. Brexit means Brexit. And we

are going to make a success of it. As the Tory party conference in

October, the Prime Minister explained a bit more about what that

meant, for example, the great repeal bill. Pay attention. We will convert

the body of existing EU law into British law. When the great repeal

Bill is given Royal Assent, Parliament will be free, subject to

international agreements and treaties with other countries, and

the EU on matters such as trade. To amend the repeal and improve any law

it chooses. She also said she would trigger the British and process with

other leaders, the so-called Article 50 -- negotiation process. By the

end of March. But Jean Miller had other ideas, she won a gate at the

High Court only Parliament could start it. The Government challenge

that ruling at the Supreme Court, extinct constitution we. We have a

set of files called the CAA. An electronic bundle. 1697. Bundle

three tab five, think that is the... Judges will give their verdict in a

few weeks. Meanwhile, Brexit secretary David Davis had to explain

and he hadn't really described his kind but in the European Parliament

as Satan. I was being tempted by the chairman of the select committee to

criticise you, so I said get it behind you son. He was the Satan.

That clarifies it all. He is examining the pros and cons of

Brexit on 50 different sectors of the economy from cakes to cars, it

is certainly doing terrible things to the English language. It leaves

us towards a smart and smooth Brexit as I like to call it a smexit. Mark

my words, we will make breakfast, Brexit a success. And was there at

Brexit effect? Zac Goldsmith triggered by election over Heathrow,

the Lib Dems nabbed it a pro-EU campaign. It is a good morning, the

start of many more. Yes, the Lib Dems, Members End? Just now to

resume me is listening to the Ukip wing controlling because everybody,

now maybe she will listen to some panic stricken Tory MPs with Lib

Dems are breathing down their necks and Ellis isn't it time you listen

to the electorate may or may not want Brexit but they certainly don't

want a hard Brexit will stop --. Farewell 2016, hello 2017. Donald

Trump will be inaugurated as president of the United States,

there will be elections in France and Germany and we will have

elections for me is in Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham but British

politics will be overwhelmingly dominated by the negotiations for

our exit from the EU. Hang on, maybe I should head back in their? Can't

miss that! -- in there? No, I can't miss all of that!

Good evening, our second named storm of the year, of