Brexit and the Origin of the 'Get It Done' Slogan
The process of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, commonly known as Brexit, stands as one of the most transformative periods in modern British political history. Following the 2016 membership referendum, where voters opted to leave the EU, the nation entered a complex era of internal debate and diplomatic negotiations to determine the future of its relationship with Europe.
Political Uncertainty and the Withdrawal Struggle
Between 2016 and 2019, the UK faced significant political instability. The primary challenge lay in securing a withdrawal agreement—the legal framework governing the terms of the UK's departure from the EU. Two successive prime ministers, Theresa May and Boris Johnson, struggled to navigate this process.
Both leaders encountered a deadlock in the House of Commons, the lower house of the UK Parliament. They were unable to reach a consensus on whether to proceed with a specific withdrawal agreement or to leave the EU with no agreement at all. This legislative stalemate led to years of uncertainty and political friction.
The Rise of 'Get It Done'
By the time the election campaign arrived in late 2019, Brexit had been the central theme of British politics for over three years. The prolonged nature of the negotiations had left the general public feeling deeply frustrated and the nation divided.
The famous slogan "Get It Done" emerged from this atmosphere of exhaustion. The phrase was not created by political strategists in a vacuum, but rather originated from a Conservative Party focus group held in a hotel in Northern England shortly before the election was called. During these discussions, participants expressed a simple, urgent desire to finally conclude the Brexit process, using the phrase "get it done" to describe their wish for resolution.
Key Facts
- Referendum Year: 2016 (voted in favor of leaving the EU).
- Key Figures: Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
- Political Hurdle: Lack of consensus in the House of Commons regarding the withdrawal agreement.
- Slogan Origin: A Conservative focus group in Northern England.
- Public Sentiment: High levels of frustration and division by late 2019.
| Period/Event | Key Outcome/Status |
|---|---|
| 2016 Referendum | UK voted to leave the European Union |
| May & Johnson Terms | Failure to reach House of Commons consensus |
| Late 2019 Campaign | Brexit dominated politics for 3+ years |
| Slogan Development | "Get It Done" derived from Northern England focus group |
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggered the Brexit process?
The process began after the 2016 EU membership referendum, in which the United Kingdom voted in favor of leaving the European Union.
Why was there political uncertainty between 2016 and 2019?
Uncertainty arose because Prime Ministers Theresa May and Boris Johnson could not get the House of Commons to agree on the terms of a withdrawal agreement or a "no-deal" exit.
Where did the "Get It Done" slogan come from?
The slogan originated from a focus group conducted by the Conservatives in a hotel in Northern England, where members expressed a desire to finally resolve the Brexit process.
How did the public feel about Brexit by late 2019?
The general public experienced a great deal of frustration, as Brexit had remained a divisive and dominant issue in British politics for more than three years.