MAKE LEAVE NOT WAR
Boris Johnson vows to heal bitter Brexit divisions as Britain leaves the EU after 47 years at 11pm
BORIS Johnson last night vowed to heal bitter Brexit divisions when Britain leaves the EU on the stroke of 11pm.
He said: "There are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.
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“I understand all those feelings, and our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together now and take us forward
“And the most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning.”
He said: “We want this to be the beginning of a new era of friendly cooperation.
“Between the EU and an energetic Britain.”
But he also declared muscle-bound Britain will make “a stunning success” of Brexit.
After 47 years of Brussels membership, and 1,317 days on from 2016’s landmark EU referendum, the UK became a fully sovereign state again.
'WE WILL REDISCOVER OUR MUSCLES'
In an address to the nation from No10, the PM heralded how our new future will be bright because “we have taken back the tools of self-government”.
Seizing on a spirit of optimism, he called for the country to unite.
Boris declared: “We will rediscover muscles that we have not used for decades, the power of independent thought and action”.
The PM, had earlier visited a glass factory in Sunderland — the first city to back Brexit when the 2016 referendum votes were counted.
There he staged a symbolic meeting of the whole Cabinet.
Mr Johnson who had lead the triumphant Leave campaign, marked last night’s moment of history with a red, white and blue light show blasted onto No10’s facade.
An image of Big Ben filled the building in a riposte to Commons bosses who refused to reconnect the clock’s bells to bong in Brexit.
The chapter closed on nearly four of the most choppy years in modern political history that saw two General Elections, and two PMs fall.
As the country marked Brexit:
- A Series of former British leaders came together to urge the country to look forward, including passionate Remainer Tony Blair
- The Archbishop of Canterbury issued a heartfelt plea for national unity, urging Remainers and Leavers to finally bury the hatchet
- Sad EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said she would miss the UK’s “very down to earth” approach as Brussels took down its Union Jacks
Business chiefs called for a good trade deal with the EU as an 11-month transition period began.
At 11pm — midnight in Brussels — all British citizens cease to also be EU citizens.
The country’s 73 MEPs quit their posts, the Department for Exiting the EU was disbanded and Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay left the Cabinet.
But little else will change immediately.
All existing EU arrangements will continue until December 31, including the right to work and go on holiday across the 28 countries.
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WHAT WILL CHANGE?
By Ross Clark
SO, we’re out — and the sky didn’t fall in. In fact, nothing has changed because we are now in a transition period.
But that period will end on December 31 and what will happen if we can’t strike a trade deal by then?
Will we get all the food we want?
The biggest problem may be with fresh vegetables and fruit as we import more than we grow. But the likelihood is that we might just pay a little more.
Will there be holiday disruption?
The EU has said that it will not impose visa conditions on UK citizens travelling to the EU so long as it is for less than three months. You will, however, need to make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. Travel to Ireland will be unrestricted.
Will my European Health Insurance Card still be valid?
You can still use your EHIC until December 31. Thereafter, the scheme is up for negotiation and travellers may need to take out health insurance
Can I still take my pet on holiday?
After December 31, pet passports will become invalid. But you will be able to take a pet to Europe if it is microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. You will need to apply up to four months in advance, depending on what arrangements are agreed
What about British citizens who live in other EU countries?
The withdrawal agreement has guaranteed the rights of British citizens who are already living in the EU or move there before December 31. Britons will, however, have to apply for permanent residency status before June 30, 2021, and there may be a charge.
What about pensions for expats?
Britons will continue to receive pensions and any other UK benefits. Those not of retirement age will qualify for a state pension when they reach it.
Will I still be able to drive in other EU countries?
In a few EU countries you will need to apply for an international driving permit, which costs £5.50. You will need to get a green card from your insurer.
Can I bring back duty-free goods?
Yes. You will be able to bring back up to 16 litres of beer, four litres of still wine or two litres of sparkling or fortified wine.
Will I have to pay roaming charges?
The ban on roaming charges will end but phone companies may be reluctant to reintroduce them.
Will there be tailbacks at Dover?
If there is no trade deal, it will complicate the transport of goods. But the port of Calais says just one in 100 lorries will be stopped.
Will we still be able to enter the Eurovision Song Contest?
Yes! It has nothing to do with the EU.
The UK’s £10billion a year contributions to the EU budget will also continue to be paid until the end of the year.
Mr Johnson, 55, hosted a celebration party for aides and ministers in No10 — but stayed out of public view in a bid not to look too triumphant for heartbroken Remainers.
Instead, he released a pre-recorded video message to the nation at 10pm.
It was only relayed over Downing Street social media’s sites. The BBC and ITV refused to air it because No10 aides refused to let them film it.
In his message, Boris vowed to heal bitter Brexit divisions.
He said the nation was split in three ways, between jubilant Leavers, sorrowful Remainers and the frustrated middle who just wanted an end to the saga — the group he dubbed “the biggest”.
He warned of “bumps in the road ahead” as complex trade negotiations begin with the EU.
'STRIVE TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT'
But he also pledged a domestic revolution, as he insisted “the biggest revival of our infrastructure since the Victorians” will be rolled out to “spread hope and opportunity to every part of the UK”.
Dubbing it “the dawn of a new era”, Boris added: “This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act in our great national drama.
“It is partly about using these new powers — this recaptured sovereignty — to deliver the changes people voted for, whether that is by controlling immigration or creating freeports or liberating our fishing industry or doing free trade deals”.
Three former PMs yesterday called for all Brits to embrace Brexit, no matter what position they originally took on it. They even included ex-Labour PM Tony Blair, 66, who was one of the biggest critics of our EU exit.
Accepting the political reality for the first time, he called on Brits to now “strive to make the best of it”.
He said: “Brexit is happening, and our attitude now should be to approach it with determined optimism, not looking over our shoulders in unrequited longing for what was”.
'BRITAIN NOT OUT OF THE WOODS'
Ousted former PM Theresa May, 63, tweeted: “After more than three years, we can finally say that we have delivered on the result of the 2016 referendum and have kept faith with the British people”. David Cameron, 53, said he believed the UK will be able to make a success of Brexit, despite leading the Remain campaign in 2016, hailing it “a very big day” for Britain.
Business bosses said while they are relieved a No Deal exit had been avoided, Britain will not be out of the woods until a deep trade deal with Brussels is in place.
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CBI director-general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, 59, said: “Now the real work begins. It’s time to focus on the future and build a new relationship with Europe.”
The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby issued a heartfelt plea for national unity. Mr Welby, 64, insisted: “We must be united in a common vision for our country, however great our differences on achieving it.
“A common hope for what we want to happen, and what we want to do in the years to come”.
In Brussels, officials lowered the Union Jack outside Parliament, at just after 8pm local time and replaced it with an EU one.
They struggled to get it down while battling strong winds, with the process taking two minutes.
Inside Boris Johnson's Downing Street Brexit Party
Tom Newton Dunn
A JUBILANT Boris Johnson had to count his Number 10 party down to Brexit because the TV feed broke with just seconds to go.
The PM welcome the moment by repeatedly banging a tiny gong and in a speech to supporters in Downing Street said: "This is a fantastic moment in the life of our country."
Guests inside No 10 last night scoffed traditional British food as they celebrated the country’s departure from the EU.
Cabinet ministers, advisers, Brexit negotiators and Leave campaigners ate Shropshire blue cheese, fillet of lamb on toast, mushroom tarts, crab cake and beef inside mini Yorkshire puddings with horseradish.
And they washed it all down with English sparkling wine rather than French champagne.
The PM later headed to Chequers, where he will write his big speech on the upcoming EU trade deal negotiations, to be delivered on Monday.
Meanwhile, the Queen was at Sandringham, her private estate in Norfolk, where she is spending her annual winter break.
As head of state, she remains publicly neutral when it comes to political matters and is not expected to make a statement to the nation regarding Brexit.
Instead, she spent Brexit Day like any other — dealing with official documents, such as Cabinet and State papers, delivered to her in red boxes.
She may also have sent birthday wishes to distant cousin Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, who was 82 yesterday.
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British flag is removed from outside European Parliament In Brussels on Brexit day
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