MOMENTOUS LEAP INTO HISTORY

AS CLOCKS strike 11 tonight, Great Britain will take a momentous leap into history.

For the first time in 47 years, the country that gave the globe Magna carta, parliamentary democracy, the industrial revolution and human rights, will once again be truly sovereign.

In a vaulting display of courage, ambition and intent, we will — at long last! — cast off the EU’s shackles and stride confidently out into the world.

At long last — 1,317 drawn-out days to be precise — the decision of the British people to choose independence rather than remain glued interminably to the sclerotic bloc will be enacted. A cornucopia of opportunity awaits.

This is a welcome day for the Uk — and, rightly, we should celebrate our new freedom.

Striking out in search of a gleaming future is a wonderful affirmation of our national soul, character and identity. It is a new dawn for Britain. There should, however, be no triumphalism. True, a short-lived light show will illuminate Downing Street at the hour of our historic departure.

But Big Ben will not bong, fireworks will not burst over the White cliffs and church bells across the kingdom won’t peal.

An unprecedented 17.4 million people voted leave four years ago — giving the Government the biggest democratic mandate in Uk history.

But while they were convinced Britain could prosper as a self-ruling nation, many millions vehemently disagreed — judging the dangers of Brexit too great and fearing the nation would struggle without Brussels’ protective wing.

The upshot? A painfully fractured country, with families, friends and communities divided — some irreparably. The order of the day now is reconciliation. That rapprochement, though, must be on both sides.

The most fervent leave supporters should refrain from gloating. And fanatical Remainers should cease the vile, deranged rants. contrary to what they may believe, those who voted to quit the EU are not insular racists who are determined to pull up Britain’s drawbridge, and swiftly.

Thus, it’s imperative that Boris Johnson takes time away from his bulging in-tray, using his positivity, charm and élan to heal these caustic schisms. After all, our nation thrives best when united.

To see the result of the referendum finally honoured is, undoubtedly, a democratic triumph.

Indeed, for an uncomfortably long time the Brexit dream was gasping on life support. That it survived feels miraculous.

Despite solemnly agreeing to act in the national interest and implement the extraordinary and unexpected result, an out- of- touch, elitist Parliament — merrily assisted by supercilious, sabotaging then-Speaker John Bercow — cynically attempted to steal it.

Incredibly, as recently as November, the Government was stuck in a Brexit quagmire. Politics had ground to an acrimonious halt.

For moderate, pragmatic people across the nation, the shameful events that unfolded in Westminster seemed a monumental act of betrayal.

Infuriated, the public turned a tidal wave of wrath on the preening political class — leading directly to Boris’s thumping election majority, and the consequent passing of the Withdrawal Act.

So as the clock ticks towards 11pm, when the curtain comes down on one act and lifts on another, we might ask, as did Viola in Shakespeare’s Twelfth

Night: ‘What country, friends, is this?’ Well, one that’s ticking along quite nicely, thank you.

one awesome attribute belonging to the majority who voted on June 23, 2016, for self-determination was their unequivocal rejection of ‘Project Fear’.

In the run-up to the referendum, the prophets of doom issued chilling scare stories that an ‘out’ vote would trigger economic armageddon.

Were the public cowed by the selfserving political and financial elites, who for too long belittled their aspirations and anxieties? Not a bit. They wisely defied it. And they were unerringly right.

Instead of the predicted ‘ profound and immediate’ slump, we’ve seen an unprecedented jobs miracle. Record numbers are in work, unemployment is at its lowest since 1975 and wages are rising.

These are numbers the stagnating eurozone can only dream of. And with Brexit uncertainty ended, the economic handbrake can come off — potentially releasing a flood of pent-up investment.

Indeed, last week, the International Monetary Fund tipped Britain to grow faster than any of its major European rivals this year. Things are looking distinctly rosy, not gloomy.

Just look at the massive benefits for the entire Uk of choosing our own destiny.

Within months we will be able to halt unpopular freedom of movement and become responsible for our own specially tailored immigration policy.

An optimistic, outward- looking, global Britain can throw open its arms to the brightest, most talented and entrepreneurial from the four corners of the Earth.

We can take back control of our borders, deciding who does — and, crucially, who does not — set foot on our shores. We can ditch the hated common Agricultural and Fisheries policies. And we can set our own VAT rates and other tax rules currently ceded to the EU.

Unelected judges in the European court will no longer determine British laws. No longer will we send billions of pounds annually to the Brussels spendthrifts.

And we can set sail on the high seas of global trade, striking deals with booming economies. only yesterday, Donald Trump’s key ally Mike Pompeo said Britain would be at the ‘front of the line’ for a mammoth trade deal with the U.S. Non-EU countries are queuing up too.

Unlocking the EU’s chains will allow Britain to become more nimble and fleet of foot, responding swiftly to tap into fruitful new business opportunities and emerging markets. The economic possibilities are limitless.

of course, we want to build a strong relationship with the EU. And a trade agreement, with zero tariffs and quotas, would be mutually lucrative.

If talks are conducted amicably, with pragmatism, common sense and goodwill on both sides, there’s no reason this can’t be signed by December.

But in a bid to retain Britain within its sphere of influence, the protectionist bloc wants us to stay in lock-step on regulations (unlike other nations with deals such as canada and Japan).

Yes, that would prevent customs checks. But it would also make Britain a rule-taker (with no say on the rules). It would also clip our wings — defeating the whole point of Brexit.

Mr Johnson must make crystal clear he is prepared to walk away. With the eurozone creaking at the seams, growth stalling, unemployment at dangerous levels, and even Germany — the bloc’s principal paymaster — teetering on the brink of recession, that’s the last thing the EU wants.

Brussels must not sulk like a jilted lover as we leave. It only has itself to blame.

If the bloc had acceded to David cameron’s meagre request in February 2016 to allow Britain to curb free movement, instead of sending him scurrying home with his tail between his legs, there may never have been a referendum.

Despite all the EU has done to obstruct our departure, we will remain a supremely loyal friend. As Europe’s leaders fuss about Britain’ s disengagement from a fractious political and economic institution, it behoves them to remember that our relationships date back centuries, not just the 45 years of our membership.

Europe remains our historical and geographical kin. In times of peril we will still stand shoulder-to-shoulder — if necessary, willingly spilling blood.

once we leave the EU, ministers will be able to focus on voters’ traditional concerns — housing, social care, law and order, household bills. All these important issues had been sucked into a Brexit black hole.

As Britain steps out into this bright future, we hope those worried that Britain is turning its back on the world can be reassured.

Yes, there will be bumps in the road. But this great country has the talent and confidence to overcome them.

We have the world’s fifth-largest economy, peerless security and intelligence agencies and extraordinary military muscle. We are a financial powerhouse. We are world leaders in science and technology, as well as music, entertainment and literature.

Not only can we stand on our own two feet, but we can flourish.

In an address to the nation tonight, Boris will hail the ‘dawn of a new era’. It is, he says, ‘not an end but a beginning’.

The Mail firmly trusts and believes he is right.