British Prime Minister Theresa May said the United Kingdom will trigger Article 50, to begin the process of exiting the European Union, by the end of March 2017. Britain in June had voted to leave the EU. At the Tory party conference in Birmingham, the prime minister also announced plans to introduce a ‘great repeal Bill’ that will incorporate EU regulations in UK law, The Guardian reported.

Triggering Article 50 in March 2017 will mean the Brexit process will be complete by March 2019. Britain’s next general elections will be held in 2020.

The dramatic results of the Brexit referendum led to stock markets crashing world-wide, and the resignation of David Cameron, who was prime minister at the time. Thousands of British citizens had demanded a second referendum, which was rejected by the Foreign Office. There has been pressure on the UK to start the Brexit process as soon as possible, following the referendum results.