In spite of claims that the referendum gave the government an instruction or mandate, it could do no such thing because it was not constitutionally set up that way; it was advisory only. A simple in-out question was put and there was a narrow majority in favour of leaving. 51.9% to 48.1% in fact. For three years the Tories have tried to strike a deal with the EU on our terms of leaving, but parliament has not agreed to any deal. There have been a couple of extensions to the leaving date, which should have been at the end of March. The current leaving date is October 31, but, as no leaving deal has been agreed, there is the danger of the UK crashing out without any arrangements having been made for future trade with the EU or for what happens about the border between the EU Republic of Ireland and the soon-to-be non-EU Northern Ireland. The border, which has around two hundred crossing points, was a major flashpoint for conflict during The Troubles, and there is a severe danger that visible border barriers, which currently don't exist, would rekindle the violence. The EU wants a backstop arrangement in place until trade deals are agreed. The backstop would mean that the UK stays in the EU customs union until such time and that the Irish border stays open, as now. That is not acceptable to the Tories, who fear that we'll be trapped in that customs union for ever. It would mean that we couldn't strike independent trade deals with non-EU countries and that you'll have to find alternative markets for your hormonal beef and chlorine chickens. :-) That's the potted story so far. The Tories want us out, the main opposition Labour Party wants another referendum with a deal vs remain on the ballot, and the LibDems, a very small minority party, want to abandon brexit without consultation.