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Brexit: sadness and celebrations as UK prepares to leave the EU – live news Brexit: sadness and celebrations as UK prepares to leave the EU – live news
(31 minutes later)
All the latest as Britain gears up to leave the European Union at 11pm local timeAll the latest as Britain gears up to leave the European Union at 11pm local time
If Nigel Farage starts this early, he might miss his own party.
The Sinn Féin leader, Mary Lou McDonald, has said Brexit is not an orange or green issue, reports PA Media:
The Institute for Government has a really useful summary page about what is changing – and staying the same – during the transition period.
For anyone going on holiday this year this is key:
But speaking on BBC News, Georgina Knight from the Institute of Government said we do not yet know if UK citizens travelling to the EU from January 2020 will need a visa. That will have to be decided during the forthcoming negotiations.
Guy Verhofstadt has tweeted some rousing footage of “pro-European” Winston Churchill.
Have you been wondering what the chap who decided to have a referendum on Europe has been doing since the vote? Earning a cool £1.6m ...Have you been wondering what the chap who decided to have a referendum on Europe has been doing since the vote? Earning a cool £1.6m ...
Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin notes that according to an IFS report during the same period the country is £66bn poorer Sunday Times journalist Rosamund Urwin notes that according to an IFS report during the same period the country is £66bn poorer.
Some Guardian readers have found a novel way to cope with Brexit day … by going on holiday in Europe.Some Guardian readers have found a novel way to cope with Brexit day … by going on holiday in Europe.
“My wife and I will be in Copenhagen for the weekend,” says Giles Williams, from London. “We will have reached the end of our self-imposed alcohol- and meat-free month so will break our fast, raising our glasses with a mix of emotions.”“My wife and I will be in Copenhagen for the weekend,” says Giles Williams, from London. “We will have reached the end of our self-imposed alcohol- and meat-free month so will break our fast, raising our glasses with a mix of emotions.”
Williams and his wife were able to obtain French nationality because they lived and worked in France for almost 10 years but, he says, “our personal good fortune will be tempered by the knowledge that many friends and none of our family will be able to retain the benefits of UK and EU citizenship”.Williams and his wife were able to obtain French nationality because they lived and worked in France for almost 10 years but, he says, “our personal good fortune will be tempered by the knowledge that many friends and none of our family will be able to retain the benefits of UK and EU citizenship”.
Anne Woodcock travelled to Alicante yesterday to purposely avoid being in the UK on the day of its departure from the EU. “Having signed petitions, marched and campaigned vigorously ... to stop Brexit, I cannot face the media focus on celebrations for what I believe to be a disaster for the country,” says the 74-year-old from Nottinghamshire. “I know it will not be rectified in my lifetime but I can only hope my grandchildren may have the opportunity to become full Europeans again.”Anne Woodcock travelled to Alicante yesterday to purposely avoid being in the UK on the day of its departure from the EU. “Having signed petitions, marched and campaigned vigorously ... to stop Brexit, I cannot face the media focus on celebrations for what I believe to be a disaster for the country,” says the 74-year-old from Nottinghamshire. “I know it will not be rectified in my lifetime but I can only hope my grandchildren may have the opportunity to become full Europeans again.”
Andrew Kewell, 64, from Exmouth, is travelling to Bruges for a short break with his wife. “We will be drinking a toast to the EU [with] fine Belgian beer and looking forward to the inevitable day when we rejoin,” he says.Andrew Kewell, 64, from Exmouth, is travelling to Bruges for a short break with his wife. “We will be drinking a toast to the EU [with] fine Belgian beer and looking forward to the inevitable day when we rejoin,” he says.
Here’s some footage captured earlier by some enterprising student journalists at Sunderland University’s SR News of Boris Johnson arriving in the city where he hosted cabinet earlier.Here’s some footage captured earlier by some enterprising student journalists at Sunderland University’s SR News of Boris Johnson arriving in the city where he hosted cabinet earlier.
It’s fair to say it wasn’t a warm welcome, as protesters can be heard bellowing: “You’re not welcome here.” Despite the Tory party’s success at the general election, Sunderland is still very much a Labour stronghold.It’s fair to say it wasn’t a warm welcome, as protesters can be heard bellowing: “You’re not welcome here.” Despite the Tory party’s success at the general election, Sunderland is still very much a Labour stronghold.
It is officially the UK’s most Eurosceptic town, so it is perhaps no surprise that Boston is set to celebrate “long into the night” to mark Brexit.It is officially the UK’s most Eurosceptic town, so it is perhaps no surprise that Boston is set to celebrate “long into the night” to mark Brexit.
The town in Lincolnshire, where 75.6% voted leave in the 2016 referendum, will hold “plenty of parties” this evening.The town in Lincolnshire, where 75.6% voted leave in the 2016 referendum, will hold “plenty of parties” this evening.
One resident, Brian Shaw, 76, labelled it a landmark day for the country and declared he “cannot wait to stop being ruled by the EU”.One resident, Brian Shaw, 76, labelled it a landmark day for the country and declared he “cannot wait to stop being ruled by the EU”.
“I’m very pleased. I’ve voted Labour all my life until this time when I voted Conservative because I knew they would get it through,” he told PA Media.“I’m very pleased. I’ve voted Labour all my life until this time when I voted Conservative because I knew they would get it through,” he told PA Media.
“I don’t like the Conservatives, but they did what I wanted them to do. A friend of mine has got a union jack ready to put on his house at 11pm tonight. I’m usually in bed at 10pm but I shall stay up tonight - I’ll be celebrating long into the night, I’ve got the beer ready.”“I don’t like the Conservatives, but they did what I wanted them to do. A friend of mine has got a union jack ready to put on his house at 11pm tonight. I’m usually in bed at 10pm but I shall stay up tonight - I’ll be celebrating long into the night, I’ve got the beer ready.”
Salesmen Jason Chambers, 37, Paul Burrell, 44, and Lee Blackbourn, also 44, bought a bottle of champagne to toast the occasion at the town’s Wetherspoons pub. Salesmen Jason Chambers, 37, Paul Burrell, 44, and Lee Blackbourn, also 44, bought a bottle of champagne to toast the occasion at the town’s Wetherspoon’s pub.
Wales will not be intimidated out of standing up for its interests in future negotiations with the EU post-Brexit, the country’s first minister has said.Wales will not be intimidated out of standing up for its interests in future negotiations with the EU post-Brexit, the country’s first minister has said.
Mark Drakeford claimed Downing Street would have a “fight on its hands” if it moved to retain powers returning from the EU which fell into devolved areas of law.Mark Drakeford claimed Downing Street would have a “fight on its hands” if it moved to retain powers returning from the EU which fell into devolved areas of law.
Speaking in Cardiff, he said Wales would “remain a proudly European nation” but acknowledged that, along with the rest of the UK, it would experience “stresses and strains” in the future.Speaking in Cardiff, he said Wales would “remain a proudly European nation” but acknowledged that, along with the rest of the UK, it would experience “stresses and strains” in the future.
“Brexit may have happened but we are yet to step out into that brave new world,” he said. “And while Brexit may be done in that narrow sense, the impact of Brexit, the form of Brexit is with us for years to come.“Brexit may have happened but we are yet to step out into that brave new world,” he said. “And while Brexit may be done in that narrow sense, the impact of Brexit, the form of Brexit is with us for years to come.
“Here in Wales and in the Welsh fovernment, we will not be hoodwinked by any simplistic assertion that Brexit is now over and done. We will not be browbeaten by the assertion that the decision to leave the EU is a decision that brings an end to debate or to discussion. “Here in Wales and in the Welsh government, we will not be hoodwinked by any simplistic assertion that Brexit is now over and done. We will not be browbeaten by the assertion that the decision to leave the EU is a decision that brings an end to debate or to discussion.
“And we will not simply be bored into submission by the reality that Brexit is with us not just for today but for years and years to come.”“And we will not simply be bored into submission by the reality that Brexit is with us not just for today but for years and years to come.”
Meanwhile, there’s a thoroughly Glaswegian tribute to the EU via the Duke of Wellington statue outside the city’s Gallery of Modern Art.Meanwhile, there’s a thoroughly Glaswegian tribute to the EU via the Duke of Wellington statue outside the city’s Gallery of Modern Art.
Capping the guid duke, astride his horse, with a traffic cone became a night-time tradition in Glasgow in the 80s. Various attempts by police and the local council to quell the public’s enthusiasm for the practice have failed over the decades and now he remains with his cone in perpetuity.Capping the guid duke, astride his horse, with a traffic cone became a night-time tradition in Glasgow in the 80s. Various attempts by police and the local council to quell the public’s enthusiasm for the practice have failed over the decades and now he remains with his cone in perpetuity.
But today, there’s something a bit different ...But today, there’s something a bit different ...
Another selection of comments from Guardian readers who’ve been in touch, this time to tell us why they or their family members applied for other EU nationalities.Another selection of comments from Guardian readers who’ve been in touch, this time to tell us why they or their family members applied for other EU nationalities.
Paul Stock, a solicitor from Saddleworth, has decided to return to his German roots:Paul Stock, a solicitor from Saddleworth, has decided to return to his German roots:
Tim Robinson, 46, a TV producer from London, feels estranged from Britain:Tim Robinson, 46, a TV producer from London, feels estranged from Britain:
K, from Cambridge, is conflicted about her children getting passports:K, from Cambridge, is conflicted about her children getting passports:
Mark, from Sheffield, on why he chose to become Irish:Mark, from Sheffield, on why he chose to become Irish:
Jan, from West Yorkshire, on her son’s new dual nationality:Jan, from West Yorkshire, on her son’s new dual nationality:
Let’s take a look at some of the reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s “practical, not cautious” speech about the next steps towards independence. While the urgency of building support for independence beyond 51% is recognised across the board, there are plenty of critics in the wider yes movement, many of them activists from the 2014 campaign, who want to know why the SNP has not been building a movement for the last six years.Let’s take a look at some of the reaction to Nicola Sturgeon’s “practical, not cautious” speech about the next steps towards independence. While the urgency of building support for independence beyond 51% is recognised across the board, there are plenty of critics in the wider yes movement, many of them activists from the 2014 campaign, who want to know why the SNP has not been building a movement for the last six years.
In this interesting thread, Jonathan Shafi, a co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign, points out some immediate challenges.In this interesting thread, Jonathan Shafi, a co-founder of the Radical Independence Campaign, points out some immediate challenges.
Other voices within the SNP are also critical of the first minister’s speech, with the Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, a long-time advocate of a direct challenge to Westminster’s refusal to grant powers for a legal referendum, describing her strategy as “hard to fathom”.Other voices within the SNP are also critical of the first minister’s speech, with the Western Isles MP, Angus MacNeil, a long-time advocate of a direct challenge to Westminster’s refusal to grant powers for a legal referendum, describing her strategy as “hard to fathom”.
The prominent councillor Chris McEleny, who pushed at last year’s SNP conference for the “plan B” resolution – this would bypass the need for a second referendum if a majority voted for pro-independence parties at the next Holyrood election – was likewise sceptical. “What’s stopping us asking the lord advocate right now if he thinks the Scottish parliament has the legal competence to hold an advisory referendum on Scottish independence?”The prominent councillor Chris McEleny, who pushed at last year’s SNP conference for the “plan B” resolution – this would bypass the need for a second referendum if a majority voted for pro-independence parties at the next Holyrood election – was likewise sceptical. “What’s stopping us asking the lord advocate right now if he thinks the Scottish parliament has the legal competence to hold an advisory referendum on Scottish independence?”
We have another video for you to enjoy, this time giving a light-hearted summary of the key moments on the road to Brexit. It features Theresa May’s dodgy dancing (remember that?), “not another one” voice-of-the-people Brenda, plenty of political soundbites and … Love Island.We have another video for you to enjoy, this time giving a light-hearted summary of the key moments on the road to Brexit. It features Theresa May’s dodgy dancing (remember that?), “not another one” voice-of-the-people Brenda, plenty of political soundbites and … Love Island.
Here’s the all-star cast who put it together: Noah Payne-Frank, Joseph Pierce, Chiara Fiorillo and Katie Lamborn.Here’s the all-star cast who put it together: Noah Payne-Frank, Joseph Pierce, Chiara Fiorillo and Katie Lamborn.
Anti-Brexit campaigners at the Irish border have unfurled a billboard declaring “the fight goes on”.
The campaign group Border Communities Against Brexit, which is staging a series of protests this evening, were joined by senior Sinn Féin figures this morning on the Armagh/Lough border.
Speaking on the Northern Ireland side of the border, campaigner Declan Fearon said: “We are concerned for the people who live here and the difference there will be in the rights people will have from 50 yards on the other side of the border to where we stand now.
“We will not be entitled going forward to the rights we were under membership of the European Union.
“So, it’s a sad day for this area and it’s a day where we are determined to continue to press all involved to make sure that we can mitigate against as many of the issues that Brexit had brought to the people of these areas.”
Remain-voting Oxford’s council has raised the 12-starred flag of Europe above its town hall in tribute to “decades of friendship and cooperation” with Brussels.
Here’s a neat Guardian video put together by my colleague, Elena Morresi, summarising EU leaders’ comments earlier today on Britain’s EU departure.
Here’s a selection of insights from Guardian readers who’ve contacted us to reveal the different ways in which Brexit has impacted their families.
Nancy, who raised her children in France, fears for her daughter’s future:
Tom Parry, 43, a lecturer living in Amsterdam, is sad about having to relinquish his British citizenship for the benefit of his family:
T, from Cambridgeshire, is hiding a Brexit secret from his partner:
Danny, who lives in France, shares how Brexit affected his family:
In keeping with the government’s low-key Brexit celebrations, the Financial Times reports (£) that British embassies have been instructed not to hold special events to mark the day amid concerns “triumphalism” would be badly received by countries.
Boris Johnson will host a party in No 10 tonight for cabinet ministers and pro-Brexit advisers at which guests will toast the UK’s departure from the EU with traditional food washed down with English sparkling wine.
Canapés will include a savoury shortbread topped with Shropshire blue cheese, fillet of lamb, a ploughman’s of cheddar and pickle, skewers of roast chicken – probably not chlorinated – and roast beef and Yorkshire pudding with a horseradish sauce.
It is not yet clear whether his predecessor, Theresa May, will be invited to the party, which begins at 9pm.
Downing Street itself will be illuminated by a red light and blue light show, along with the Treasury, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Justice, HMRC, the Cabinet Office plus the Offices of Scotland and Wales.
The Northern Ireland Office, possibly due to community sensitivities over the colours of the union flag, has not been included. A digital clock will also appear in Downing Street to count down the final hour of the UK’s EU membership.
Cabinet ministers, government officials and Downing Street advisers have been invited. No 10 admitted today that trade with the European Union will not be “frictionless” after Brexit.
“You can only have fully frictionless if you accept all their rules. We have been clear that we will not be doing so,” the prime minister’s spokesman said. This will not affect travellers or businesses tonight but is expected to be introduced next January.
Talk about having your cake and eating it. One of the government’s most vociferous Brexiters, the home secretary, Priti Patel, is celebrating today with a Brexit-themed sweet treat.
Earlier we showcased the thoughts of some young people expressing regret at Brexit. Here’s a selection of (slightly older) leave voters who’ve been in touch and are somewhat more pleased.
Loraine Henderson, 60, retired, from Aberdeen, is absolutely delighted.
Matthew, 30, a PhD student at Swansea University, is positive about Britain’s chances of striking trade deals.
Philip Matthews, 62, a lorry driver from Nottingham, claims the EU has bullied Britain and will celebrate this evening by putting up his union flag.
Guy, 60, a farmer in Oxfordshire, will be celebrating with a glass of champagne.
The topic of Brexit graces the front page of almost every German newspaper this morning. The Frankfurter Allgemeine says: ‘Finally it’s time,’ and suggests the Monty Python song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life for those who need cheering up.
The left-wing daily taz has a flash of health secretary Matt Hancock’s union flag socks, next to the red heel of a female colleague, beneath the banner headline: ‘Goodbye and good luck.’
Among the commentaries, Christoph von Marschall says in Der Tagesspiegel it’s time to see Brexit as the chance for a new relationship, suggesting Britain’s departure may just be the type of impetus the EU needs to improve itself.
“Auf Wiedersehen,” says the front page of the Frankfurter Rundschau, above the union flag. It reports that Brexit opponents are already fighting for Britain’s return, and is running Brexit stories across pages 2, 3 and 4 and 13, but concludes: “Die Story ist nicht zu Ende” – the story is not over yet.
In an interview, Heiko Maas, the foreign minister, tells the paper: “This is no goodbye.” He says discussions between the British government and the EU to be concluded by the end of the year will be “intensive” and “high pressured”.
The Berliner Zeitung titles its main story “The Long Goodbye”, and says the question hanging over everything is “what’s next?”.The tabloid Bild says: “It’s Brexit for real today,” but its main commentator, Franz Josef Wagner, insists that while a political divorce is possible a spiritual divorce is not. He grew up, he explains, on Robinson Crusoe, Robin Hood and Rudyard Kipling. “As a boy I read Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984, when I was older, Shakespeare, accompanied by the music of David Bowie, the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd. And of course there was also James Bond, how could I forget him. And also Harry Potter.” He concludes: “Everything that we feel is so English so, from a psychological point of view, we cannot let England go.”
Meanwhile across Germany, fans of Britain, pro-EU campaigners, and British immigrants are gathering to commemorate the end of an era. At Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate a flash mob will draw singers from around the capital at midnight in a rendition of the European Union anthem Ode to Joy by Beethoven. Andrew Sims, a Briton and the director of the Embassy Singers choir, has said the gathering was an invitation to anyone who will “otherwise be sitting at home, sad and lonely”, he told Der Tagesspiegel.
The Labour leadership contender Keir Starmer has suggested he will continue to argue for freedom of movement after Brexit.
The shadow Brexit secretary, who was making his pitch for Labour’s top job in a speech in Westminster, highlighted the care given to his mother-in-law in the NHS by staff from around the world.
He said EU citizens should be offered “rights, not tolerance” and that “we have to make the argument for freedom of movement”.
Asked whether that meant he would argue as a future PM for free movement to be reintroduced after Brexit, he said: “Yes of course: bring back, argue for, challenge.”
Freedom of movement ends formally as the UK leaves the EU, though the relevant rights will be retained during the transition period, which is due to end on 31 December.
Starmer was speaking at Westminster Cathedral – striding the stage without notes. He said the leave/remain divide had to end when the UK left tonight – including for Labour.