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Brexit: countdown to the UK's departure from 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
Downing Street has posted Johnson’s address to the nation online:
Boris Johnson has proclaimed Brexit as the revival of the UK’s “power of independent thought and action” on Friday – but faced an immediate warning from EU leaders that “strength does not lie in splendid isolation”, Heather Stewart, Daniel Boffey and Rajeev Syal write.
As a clock was projected on to Downing Street to count down to the moment when the UK’s 47-year membership of the EU officially came to an end, the prime minister released a video message, saying it would usher in “real national renewal and change”.
Johnson insisted Brexit would mark a moment of “national renewal,” after which the UK could become simultaneously, “a great European power, and truly global in our range and ambitions.”
Brexit celebrations have kicked off in central London, as hundreds waving Union flags gathered to mark the historic occasion.
The crowd was shown a brief history of Britain’s membership of the EU leading up to Brexit on a large screen above Parliament Square. There were boos from the crowd as Tony Blair and the BBC logo appeared on the screen, followed by cheers for Margaret Thatcher.
The US-UK special relationship will “grow even stronger” thanks to Brexit, Washington’s ambassador to London has claimed. Woody Johnson welcomed the formal exit from the EU as being “long supported” by the US president, Donald Trump.The US-UK special relationship will “grow even stronger” thanks to Brexit, Washington’s ambassador to London has claimed. Woody Johnson welcomed the formal exit from the EU as being “long supported” by the US president, Donald Trump.
The diplomat said the severing of the 47-year tie with the bloc will allow a transatlantic trade deal to be forged to “increase prosperity”.The diplomat said the severing of the 47-year tie with the bloc will allow a transatlantic trade deal to be forged to “increase prosperity”.
In the Yorkshire town of Morley, 350 people are crammed into the rugby club to celebrate the UK’s departure from the EU by chomping on Brexit Banger Sarnies (£4) and listening to a mutton-chopped guitarist in a flag-covered shirt sing songs including “EU give love a bad name” and “I want to break free”.In the Yorkshire town of Morley, 350 people are crammed into the rugby club to celebrate the UK’s departure from the EU by chomping on Brexit Banger Sarnies (£4) and listening to a mutton-chopped guitarist in a flag-covered shirt sing songs including “EU give love a bad name” and “I want to break free”.
The party was organised by the local MP, Andrea Jenkyns, who provided the big shock of 2015’s general election by ousting Ed Balls from the constituency. Jenkyns is married to fellow Tory MP, Jack Lopresti. Their son, Clifford, was born on 29 March 2017, coming into the world the day Theresa May officially triggered Article 50. (Jenkyns’ website records her “thrill” at the coincidence).The party was organised by the local MP, Andrea Jenkyns, who provided the big shock of 2015’s general election by ousting Ed Balls from the constituency. Jenkyns is married to fellow Tory MP, Jack Lopresti. Their son, Clifford, was born on 29 March 2017, coming into the world the day Theresa May officially triggered Article 50. (Jenkyns’ website records her “thrill” at the coincidence).
Jenkyns, a classically trained singer, planned to herald the new era of UK independence by singing Jerusalem on the rugby pitch wearing a Union Jack-patterned fascinator shortly before 11pm. She said she organised the party in her constituency “because everything happens in London and not everyone can afford to travel down to London.” As she chatted, her Conservative colleague Lucy Harris, a former Brexit Party MEP who defected in December, appeared on a screen via videolink. Her name had been on the invitation but it seemed she had chosen to mark the moment in the capital. She was “sad” not to be able to make it to Yorkshire, she said.Jenkyns, a classically trained singer, planned to herald the new era of UK independence by singing Jerusalem on the rugby pitch wearing a Union Jack-patterned fascinator shortly before 11pm. She said she organised the party in her constituency “because everything happens in London and not everyone can afford to travel down to London.” As she chatted, her Conservative colleague Lucy Harris, a former Brexit Party MEP who defected in December, appeared on a screen via videolink. Her name had been on the invitation but it seemed she had chosen to mark the moment in the capital. She was “sad” not to be able to make it to Yorkshire, she said.
Morley is “Brexit heartlands”, said Jenkyns.Morley is “Brexit heartlands”, said Jenkyns.
Many revellers had dressed up for the occasion. Karl Arthur, a railway signal man and local councillor from Selby, was wearing a red baseball cap which read: “Make Britain Great Again”. He said he was looking forward to the UK controlling its own immigration after Brexit. “I like the idea of Boris’s points-based system,” he said. “I think it’s wrong to have a free-for-all. People come in for the benefits rather than to work.”Many revellers had dressed up for the occasion. Karl Arthur, a railway signal man and local councillor from Selby, was wearing a red baseball cap which read: “Make Britain Great Again”. He said he was looking forward to the UK controlling its own immigration after Brexit. “I like the idea of Boris’s points-based system,” he said. “I think it’s wrong to have a free-for-all. People come in for the benefits rather than to work.”
Wearing sequined black trousers and a top hat, singer and dog groomer Caroline Silvers said she was playing for free in order to mark the historic moment.Wearing sequined black trousers and a top hat, singer and dog groomer Caroline Silvers said she was playing for free in order to mark the historic moment.
Jenkyns insisted she had only received a few complaints about the party from disgruntled Remainers. But in the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge, which voted to Leave the EU by a margin of just 50.55%, the White Hart pub cancelled plans for its Brexit bash after a stream of Europhile locals threatened to boycott the bar.Jenkyns insisted she had only received a few complaints about the party from disgruntled Remainers. But in the Derbyshire town of Whaley Bridge, which voted to Leave the EU by a margin of just 50.55%, the White Hart pub cancelled plans for its Brexit bash after a stream of Europhile locals threatened to boycott the bar.
The landlord changed the party name to a “British music night”, promising patriotic playlist all night, “from the Rolling Stones to Coldplay”, but with no mention of the B-word. Explaining the change, the landlord said:The landlord changed the party name to a “British music night”, promising patriotic playlist all night, “from the Rolling Stones to Coldplay”, but with no mention of the B-word. Explaining the change, the landlord said:
Here are some more thoughts from Guardian readers on Brexit. Katherine, a 79-year-old retired curator, says:Here are some more thoughts from Guardian readers on Brexit. Katherine, a 79-year-old retired curator, says:
Sheila Keane, a 63-year-old non-practising registered nurse and solicitor from Southampton, says:Sheila Keane, a 63-year-old non-practising registered nurse and solicitor from Southampton, says:
Janet is a teacher who has lived in Germany since the 1960s. She says:Janet is a teacher who has lived in Germany since the 1960s. She says:
Brendan Boyle, a US Democrat congressman, who travelled to the Irish border with Nancy Pelosi last April warning of consequences to the UK if a customs and checks were reinstated between Northern Ireland and Ireland has tweeted to thank those who made this did not happen.Brendan Boyle, a US Democrat congressman, who travelled to the Irish border with Nancy Pelosi last April warning of consequences to the UK if a customs and checks were reinstated between Northern Ireland and Ireland has tweeted to thank those who made this did not happen.
Boyle’s father emigrated to the US at 19.Boyle’s father emigrated to the US at 19.
Pro-Europe campaigners have gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh tonight. Guardian reader Sam Page, who is part of the European Movement in Scotland organisation that put together the event, says they are protesting “against being dragged out of the EU against our will”:Pro-Europe campaigners have gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh tonight. Guardian reader Sam Page, who is part of the European Movement in Scotland organisation that put together the event, says they are protesting “against being dragged out of the EU against our will”:
The British flag has been removed from its pole outside the European Parliament in Brussels and replaced with the flag of the European Union.The British flag has been removed from its pole outside the European Parliament in Brussels and replaced with the flag of the European Union.
There’s already dozens of Union flags on Parliament square as crowds start to form to celebrate Britain’s exit from the EU at 11pm GMT. A makeshift ‘Little Ben’ emblazoned with signs such as ‘Get it done Boris’ provides a steady drumbeat backdrop as a stage is set up for the Leave Means Leave rally later this evening. Peter and Lesley have travelled from Nottingham for the event. The former said:There’s already dozens of Union flags on Parliament square as crowds start to form to celebrate Britain’s exit from the EU at 11pm GMT. A makeshift ‘Little Ben’ emblazoned with signs such as ‘Get it done Boris’ provides a steady drumbeat backdrop as a stage is set up for the Leave Means Leave rally later this evening. Peter and Lesley have travelled from Nottingham for the event. The former said:
The UK’s flag has also been taken down at the EU Council building:The UK’s flag has also been taken down at the EU Council building:
The union flag flies alone at the UK’s permanent representation to the EU in Brussels after the European flag was taken down before Brexit. By midnight Brussels time (11pm GMT), the UK’s 47-year stay in the European club of nations will come to end.The union flag flies alone at the UK’s permanent representation to the EU in Brussels after the European flag was taken down before Brexit. By midnight Brussels time (11pm GMT), the UK’s 47-year stay in the European club of nations will come to end.
Crowds have started to gather at Parliament Square in London ahead of the planned Brexit celebration later this evening.Crowds have started to gather at Parliament Square in London ahead of the planned Brexit celebration later this evening.
Dozens of people gathered around the Sir Winston Churchill statue, while others rang bells and banged a drum attached to a modified cart called “Little Ben”.Dozens of people gathered around the Sir Winston Churchill statue, while others rang bells and banged a drum attached to a modified cart called “Little Ben”.
A music system has also been set up inside the back of a lorry on Parliament Street, with people dancing in a closed-off section of the street to music by Sir Tom Jones and Queen.A music system has also been set up inside the back of a lorry on Parliament Street, with people dancing in a closed-off section of the street to music by Sir Tom Jones and Queen.
As one man walked through the crowd with an EU flag draped over his shoulders, another man carrying the Union flag shouted at him: “Go away loser.”As one man walked through the crowd with an EU flag draped over his shoulders, another man carrying the Union flag shouted at him: “Go away loser.”
Among the crowds were dozens of television camera crews and journalists.Among the crowds were dozens of television camera crews and journalists.
British people living in Brussels have contacted the Guardian with their thoughts about today.British people living in Brussels have contacted the Guardian with their thoughts about today.
Emma Woodford, who has lived in the city for 11 years and works for a European membership association, says it feels like the referendum only happened yesterday.Emma Woodford, who has lived in the city for 11 years and works for a European membership association, says it feels like the referendum only happened yesterday.
Woodford is planning to attend one of a number of events taking place in central Brussels this evening.Woodford is planning to attend one of a number of events taking place in central Brussels this evening.
Gareth Lewis, a research scientist, will not be celebrating.Gareth Lewis, a research scientist, will not be celebrating.
One reader, who works as a civil servant for the EU and asked to remain anonymous, says:One reader, who works as a civil servant for the EU and asked to remain anonymous, says:
A Guardian reader sent in this picture of today’s front-page of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, a local paper in Cologne.A Guardian reader sent in this picture of today’s front-page of the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, a local paper in Cologne.
It features what can only be described as a handwritten love letter from the paper’s editor-in-chief to Britain, pining for the days of European unity, praising cultural British contributions such as the Rolling Stones, Harry Potter, and Shaun the Sheep, and hoping that, one day, the UK will return into the arms of the EU.It features what can only be described as a handwritten love letter from the paper’s editor-in-chief to Britain, pining for the days of European unity, praising cultural British contributions such as the Rolling Stones, Harry Potter, and Shaun the Sheep, and hoping that, one day, the UK will return into the arms of the EU.
Today is a “grave day” in the view of the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.Today is a “grave day” in the view of the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier.
His tweet reads:His tweet reads:
In his address to the French nation, Macron said the British people took a sovereign decision in the 2016 referendum and France has always respected it.In his address to the French nation, Macron said the British people took a sovereign decision in the 2016 referendum and France has always respected it.
But he restated his belief that much of the referendum campaign was “based on lies, exaggerations, simplifications, cheques that were promised and will never be delivered”.But he restated his belief that much of the referendum campaign was “based on lies, exaggerations, simplifications, cheques that were promised and will never be delivered”.
He said Europe was made a scapegoat, but that: “Europe can only advance if we reform in depth, to make it more sovereign, more democratic, closer to our citizens” so that “the desire to leave Europe will never again be the response to difficulties today”.He said Europe was made a scapegoat, but that: “Europe can only advance if we reform in depth, to make it more sovereign, more democratic, closer to our citizens” so that “the desire to leave Europe will never again be the response to difficulties today”.
Macron sought to reassure French citizens living in the UK that their rights will be “maintained, preserved, defended”. Of British people living in France, he said:Macron sought to reassure French citizens living in the UK that their rights will be “maintained, preserved, defended”. Of British people living in France, he said:
We’ve been speaking to readers about their reaction to the UK’s impending EU exit.We’ve been speaking to readers about their reaction to the UK’s impending EU exit.
John Stewart Young, 65, from East LothianJohn Stewart Young, 65, from East Lothian
Fiona McGregor, from ClackmannanshireFiona McGregor, from Clackmannanshire
Keith Wall, a software engineer from GlasgowKeith Wall, a software engineer from Glasgow
Scotland will hold Shine a Light for Europe rallies across the country tonight. The SNP has issued this photograph to underline its desire for continued membership of the bloc.Scotland will hold Shine a Light for Europe rallies across the country tonight. The SNP has issued this photograph to underline its desire for continued membership of the bloc.