Britain embarks on a future outside EU
>>LONDON: Britain yesterday began an uncertain future outside the European Union, hours after the historic end to almost half a century of EU membership was greeted with a mixture of joy and sadness.
There were celebrations and tears across the country as the EU’s often reluctant member became the first to leave an organisation set up to forge unity among nations after the horrors of World War II.
Almost nothing will change straight away, because of an 11-month transition period negotiated as part of the exit deal.
Britons will be able to work in and trade freely with EU nations until Dec 31, and vice versa, although the UK will no longer be represented in the bloc’s institutions.
But legally, Britain is out. Thousands of people waving Union Jack flags packed London’s Parliament Square and sang the national anthem to mark that reality at the moment of Brexit at 11pm local time.
As Prime Minister Boris Johnson — a figurehead in the seismic 2016 referendum vote for Brexit — held a private party in his Downing Street office, a clock projected on the walls outside counted down the minutes to departure.
In an address to the nation, he hailed a “new era of friendly cooperation” with the EU while Britain takes a greater role on the world stage.
Mr Johnson acknowledged there might be “bumps in the road ahead”, but predicted the country could make it a “stunning success”.
“The most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning,” he said in a televised address.
However, Brexit has exposed deep divisions in British society, and many fear the consequences of ending 47 years of ties with their nearest neighbours.
Some pro-Europeans, including many of the 3.6 million EU citizens who have made their lives in Britain, marked the occasion with solemn candlelit vigils.
There was a sombre atmosphere among the passengers on one of the last ferries to leave the European mainland and make the 42-kilometre journey across the English Channel pre-Brexit.
“It’s very depressing what’s happening today,” said Alessio Bortone, an Italian who has lived in Britain for 10 years.
Brexit has also provoked soul-searching in the EU about its own future after losing 66 million people, a global diplomatic big-hitter and the clout of the City of London financial centre.
French President Emmanuel Macron described it as a “historic warning sign” and time for reflection.