Boris will avoid triumphalist tone on big night
BORIS Johnson is to celebrate Brexit with Union flags, a commemorative coin and a countdown clock projected on to 10 Downing Street, the Government announced last night.
The Prime Minister will also directly address the nation on the need to “heal the divisions” left by the 2016 EU referendum campaign.
The final hour before the country’s formal departure from the bloc at 11pm on January 31 will be counted down on the huge digital clock.
Details of the package to mark Brexit day were released by Mr Johnson’s officials yesterday in an attempt to quell the row over the refusal by Commons chiefs to endorse Big Ben’s chiming on the night.
A Government source said: “The
Prime Minister will make a big address to the nation on the evening of our departure from the EU around the theme of healing.
“He is very keen to emphasise the continuing close bond of the Union between the four parts of the UK.”
Aides hope Government efforts to mark the departure from the European Union will draw attention away from a party in Parliament Square by Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party.
Organisers of that event have vowed to bring along a sound system to replay the sound of Big Ben’s bongs at 11pm.
Officials said the Government wanted to mark what will be “a significant moment in our history” without a triumphalist tone that could exacerbate the divisions between Remain and Leave supporters.
Mr Johnson will kick off the Government programme for marking Brexit day with a Cabinet meeting in the North of England – to highlight his vision of spreading prosperity and opportunity around the entire UK after quitting the EU.
Ministers will discuss initiatives to “reunite communities”, how to “level up” the spread of wealth across the country and “look forward to the country that we want to build over the next decade”.
Dozens of Union flags will be flown around Parliament Square and from government buildings throughout the day. A commemorative Brexit 50p coin will also come into circulation on Brexit day.
It will be inscribed with the words: “Peace, prosperity and friendship with all nations”.
In the evening, the Prime Minister will make his speech on his vision for the country’s future, which is expected to be broadcast live on television.
In the final hour, Government buildings around Whitehall will be illuminated with spotlights and a light show will be triggered in Downing Street, featuring the clock.
While the street is closed to the public for security, the Prime Minister’s aides hope the countdown will be broadcast on television.