New dawn or biggest gamble? British headlines on Brexit day

London, Jan. 31: Britain’s Brexit-day front pages expressed both joy at the country’s imminent departure from the European Union and remorse and trepidation on Friday as the UK prepares to go it alone after nearly half a century as part of the bloc. “Yes, we did it!” said the

Daily Express tabloid, a fervent campaigner for Britain to leave the EU.

The headline was imposed over a map of the UK made up of front pages from the newspaper from the 43 months since the June 2016 vote, which saw three Brexit deadlines come and go before the British parliament finally ratified the divorce agreement. “A new dawn for Britain,” said its rival and fellow Brexit-supporting tabloid The Daily Mail.

“At 11 pm our proud nation finally leaves the EU - still a friend of Europe, but free and independent once more after 47 years.” The left-leaning

Guardian was more circumspect, leading its front page with the words “Small Island” and describing Brexit as “the biggest gamble in a generation”. “PM wants Canada-style trade deal with Brussels,” said the Times, leading with an article on Boris Johnson’s attempts to flesh out his ideas for a free trade agreement along the lines of a recent EU deal with Canada.

“Britain bows out of EU with a mixture of optimism and regret,” said

The Financial Times.

“It’s been quite a ride,” splashed the business City AM paper over a mock-up of a roller coaster carriage filled with prominent faces from the Brexit saga.