Eurosceptic Tory joy at transition period end

Eurosceptic Tory MPs have hailed the end of the Brexit transition period as a “victory for democracy and sovereignty”.

The UK left the single market and customs union at 11pm on Thursday, 11 months after it formally exited the bloc.

Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit trade deal with the EU entered into law overnight after clearing Parliament late on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister said 11pm on December 31 marks a “new beginning in our country’s history and a new relationship with the EU as their biggest ally”.

Eurosceptic MPs, once derided as a band of fringe eccentrics on the margins of the Conservative Party, expressed their delight.

Veteran Tory Sir Bill Cash said it is a “victory for democracy and sovereignty” that can only be compared in peacetime with the evolution of modern democracy after the end of the Stuart dynasty.

He told the PA news agency he is “extremely happy and glad” that the UK is leaving the single market and customs union, and praised Mr Johnson, negotiators and voters for making it happen.

Fellow Eurosceptic Sir John Redwood, who has been a Conservative MP for more than 30 years, said he feels “much relief” that the UK has stated its wish to be “self-governing”.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage said December 31 is a “moment to celebrate 2021 as an independent United Kingdom”.

He told PA: “It’s a big moment in our national story and the end of a very long road for tens of thousands of us who fought against the establishment.”