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Brexit: sadness and celebrations as UK prepares to leave the EU – live news Brexit: countdown to the UK's departure from the EU – live news
(32 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
Emmanuel Macron has delivered his own address to the nation in France, describing Brexit as an “alarm signal” which should be heard across the EU. The French president said:
It appears the party has started, to a degree, in Parliament Square
The next generation Mini car has been delayed because of Brexit, according to the parent company, BMW. The car’s development had been put on hold partly to cut costs and partly because uncertainty over Britain’s trade relations with the EU made long-term investment decisions harder, a spokesperson told Reuters.The next generation Mini car has been delayed because of Brexit, according to the parent company, BMW. The car’s development had been put on hold partly to cut costs and partly because uncertainty over Britain’s trade relations with the EU made long-term investment decisions harder, a spokesperson told Reuters.
The German carmaker has developed three generations of the Mini since buying the marque from Rover Group in 1994, keeping each vehicle in the market for about six years.The German carmaker has developed three generations of the Mini since buying the marque from Rover Group in 1994, keeping each vehicle in the market for about six years.
The current Mini hatch model, which has been on the market since 2014, is built on the company’s technological platform called UKL1.The current Mini hatch model, which has been on the market since 2014, is built on the company’s technological platform called UKL1.
“The lifespan of this platform has been extended,” the spokesman Maximilian Schoeberl told Reuters. “For cost reasons and because of Brexit.”“The lifespan of this platform has been extended,” the spokesman Maximilian Schoeberl told Reuters. “For cost reasons and because of Brexit.”
My colleague Jennifer Rankin in Brussels has tweeted images of the European flag being removed - rather unceremoniously - from the UK’s permanent representation to the European Union. My colleague Jennifer Rankin in Brussels has tweeted images of the European flag being removed – rather unceremoniously – from the UK’s permanent representation to the European Union.
She writes:She writes:
The European flag has been removed from the UK’s permanent representation to the European Union.The European flag has been removed from the UK’s permanent representation to the European Union.
Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, has said he made every effort to suppress his emotions throughout the divorce talks and will endeavour to continue to do so, whatever he may be feeling inside.Talking to French journalists in Paris, Barnier said he got up every morning determined “to do my job without emotion. I have always stuck to facts and figures. I am not interested in polemics. I have simply been methodical.”That is not to say that had no feelings, he suggested. “I am passionately patriotic,” he said. “But it is possible to be passionately patriotic and European at the same time, and if we don’t see that, we are going to end up as bit players. So that is my emotion.”Barnier said things “would never be the same as before” between the EU and Britain, because “the British don’t want them to be”. He said the EU would be guided in the future talks by the principle that “we will not compromise to the detriment of the single market”.The EU “respects the UK’s choice”, he said. “But they must decide what they want. They want to diverge from the EU rulebook – the question is, will it be a reasonable divergence, or will it lead to a situation of social dumping, of unfair competition? ... So the more they diverge, the less access to the single market they will have.”Barnier said the risk of a new no-trade-deal cliff edge was real, but “the British have set the timetable. If Boris Johnson chooses not to extend the transition period, it will be he who has imposed a time constraint on the talks.”Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, has said he made every effort to suppress his emotions throughout the divorce talks and will endeavour to continue to do so, whatever he may be feeling inside.Talking to French journalists in Paris, Barnier said he got up every morning determined “to do my job without emotion. I have always stuck to facts and figures. I am not interested in polemics. I have simply been methodical.”That is not to say that had no feelings, he suggested. “I am passionately patriotic,” he said. “But it is possible to be passionately patriotic and European at the same time, and if we don’t see that, we are going to end up as bit players. So that is my emotion.”Barnier said things “would never be the same as before” between the EU and Britain, because “the British don’t want them to be”. He said the EU would be guided in the future talks by the principle that “we will not compromise to the detriment of the single market”.The EU “respects the UK’s choice”, he said. “But they must decide what they want. They want to diverge from the EU rulebook – the question is, will it be a reasonable divergence, or will it lead to a situation of social dumping, of unfair competition? ... So the more they diverge, the less access to the single market they will have.”Barnier said the risk of a new no-trade-deal cliff edge was real, but “the British have set the timetable. If Boris Johnson chooses not to extend the transition period, it will be he who has imposed a time constraint on the talks.”
Arch Eurosceptic Steve Baker has urged colleagues to be “magnanimous” in a speech in Westminster.Arch Eurosceptic Steve Baker has urged colleagues to be “magnanimous” in a speech in Westminster.
This article by my colleagues David Pegg, Felicity Lawrence and Rob Evans gives a fascinating insight into Baker.This article by my colleagues David Pegg, Felicity Lawrence and Rob Evans gives a fascinating insight into Baker.
If Nigel Farage starts this early, he might miss his own party.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 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.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: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.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.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 Wetherspoon’s 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 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.“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.