Brexit: Farewell occasions as UK counts all the way down to 23:00 GMT

Britain is getting ready to depart the European Union at 23:00 GMT with a combination of celebration and remorse.

Professional and anti-Brexit protesters have been making their voices heard at occasions throughout the nation.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson – who led the 2016 Go away marketing campaign – will name for the nation to come back collectively in a video message at 22:00 GMT.

He’ll hail a “new daybreak” for the UK, as European leaders warn of a troublesome battle forward in commerce talks.

UK residents will discover few quick modifications because the nation formally leaves the EU, after 47 years of membership.

Most EU legal guidelines will proceed to be in power – together with the free motion of individuals – till 31 December, when the transition period involves an finish.

The UK is aiming to signal a everlasting free commerce settlement with the EU – alongside the strains of the one the EU has with Canada – by that deadline.

Mr Johnson earlier held a Cupboard assembly Sunderland, in north-east England, the town that was the primary to again Brexit when outcomes had been introduced after the referendum.

It got here as anti-Brexit campaigners staged a march previous Downing Road, to “bid a fond farewell” to the union.

Professional-Brexit campaigners are holding a celebration rally in close by Parliament Sq., which is lined with Union flags.

The occasion will see speeches by Brexit Occasion chief Nigel Farage, who efficiently campaigned for the 2016 referendum, amongst others.

A clock counting all the way down to the second the UK leaves the EU will probably be projected on to Downing Road.

However Massive Ben won’t chime at 23:00 GMT because of ongoing renovation works, regardless of a marketing campaign by Brexiteers for the well-known “bongs” to be sounded.

In Brussels, the British flag has been faraway from its pole exterior the European Parliament and changed with the flag of the European Union.

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Britain voted by 52% to 48% to depart the EU in a 2016 referendum, however wrangling over how one can implement the consequence, or whether or not there needs to be one other referendum, introduced Parliament to a standstill.

Mr Johnson managed to safe an early normal election in December final 12 months, which he received with an 80 seat majority, on a promise to “get Brexit finished”.

However opinion polls recommend the UK public stays deeply divided over the problem.

In his video message, an hour earlier than Britain’s official departure, Mr Johnson will say: “An important factor to say tonight is that this isn’t an finish however a starting.

“That is the second when the daybreak breaks and the curtain goes up on a brand new act. It’s a second of actual nationwide renewal and alter.”

Emmanuel Macron has delivered his personal handle to the nation in France, describing Brexit as an “alarm sign” which needs to be heard throughout the EU.

The French president stated: “At midnight, for the primary time in 70 years, a rustic will go away the European Union.

“It’s a historic alarm sign that have to be heard in every of our nations.”

European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen paid tribute to UK residents who had “contributed to the European Union and made it stronger”.

Upcoming commerce negotiations could be “honest” however both sides would battle for its pursuits, she added.

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However European Council President Charles Michel warned: “The extra the UK will diverge from the EU requirements, the much less entry to the only market it’s going to have.”

Anti-Brexit campaigners have, in the meantime, demanded Northern Eire – the place a majority voted to stay within the EU – continues to have a voice within the EU after the UK leaves. at a sequence of protests on the border.

In Scotland, which additionally voted to remain within the EU within the 2016…