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Brexit day one: Johnson goes for broke with hardline trade deal Prime minister pledges to make no concessions to EU as he salutes ‘a turning point in the life of our nation’No sooner had the union jacks been lowered in Brussels and Strasbourg, after 47 years of tortured British membership, than Boris Johnson was preparing to launch the UK into yet another uncompromising battle with the remaining 27 nations of the European Union.The morning after he had finally achieved his goal of removing the UK from the European club, Downing Street released photographs of the prime minister triumphantly striking a gong on the stroke of 11pm (midnight Brussels time) as this country took its leave. The text from a short speech he made as the clock struck 11 was also released. Continue rea...

Party, or hide under the covers? How we spent Britain’s last night in the EU Remainers and Brexiters tell the Observer how they marked the final hours of 31 JanuaryAsh SarkarContributing editor, Novara Media Continue reading... Go to Source

Brexit trade talks: EU to back Spain over Gibraltar claims Territory’s economy at risk unless UK reaches agreement with Madrid over ownershipFollow the latest news - liveThe EU will back Spain over its territorial claims to Gibraltar in the next phase of Brexit negotiations by giving Madrid the power to exclude the British overseas territory from any trade deal struck with Brussels.The Observer has learned that the Spanish government has insisted on reference to the Rock in the EU’s opening negotiating position, which will be published in draft form on Monday. Continue reading... Go to Source

Brexit: Britain wakes up to uncertain future after UK leaves EU – live news Follow the latest developments the morning after Britain’s EU exitCiao: 27 Europeans say goodbyeThe UK is not at ease with itself‘It feels surreal’: Britons board last Eurostar as EU citizens 11.48am GMTIn other – non-Brexit-related – news, one of two people in the UK who tested positive for coronavirus has just been confirmed to be a University of York student. The university is continuing to operate as normal, a university spokesman said. Related: Coronavirus: officials seek people with contact to UK cases as some airlines stop China flights – live news 11.25am GMTThe word “thick” is trending at No 1 on Twitter on the UK’s first morning outside of the ...

Brexit, the most pointless, masochistic ambition in our country's history, is done The magic dust of populism has blinded reason, and damage and diminishment lie aheadBrexit: Britain wakes up to uncertain future after UK leaves EU – live news It’s done. A triumph of dogged negotiation by May then, briefly, Johnson, has fulfilled the most pointless, masochistic ambition ever dreamed of in the history of these islands. The rest of the world, presidents Putin and Trump excepted, have watched on in astonishment and dismay. A majority voted in December for parties which supported a second referendum. But those parties failed lamentably to make common cause. We must pack up our tents, perhaps to the sound of church bells, and hope to begin the 15-year trudge, back towards some ...

The mixed emotions of Brexit day show the UK is not yet at ease with itself | Jonathan Freedland As some take to the streets to celebrate leaving the EU, others mourn the loss of an old friendHow does a nation say goodbye to its neighbours? With a lump in its throat and a poignant song of farewell – or with cheers and a raised middle finger of defiant good riddance? The answer that Britain gave at 11pm on Friday 31 January 2020 was: both. The UK broke from the European Union on a late winter’s night with both jubilation and regret, as divided on the day of leaving as it had been in deciding to leave. For some Britons, this was Independence Day. For others, it was a national bereavement.In Westminster, Nigel Farage exulted with his fellow Brexiters in Parliament Square, del...

Boris Johnson promises Brexit will lead to national revival PM was warned by EU leaders that “strength does not lie in splendid isolation”Brexit departure - latest updatesNearly four years after the Brexit vote, Britain has left the European Union, closing a rancorous chapter in the country’s history and beginning another viewed by some with optimism and others with dismay.Speaking ahead of Britain’s official 11pm exit on Friday, Boris Johnson acknowledged that “there are many… who feel a sense of anxiety and loss” but promised it would bring about the revival of the UK’s “power of independent thought and action”. Continue reading... Go to Source

'It feels quite surreal': Britons board their last Eurostar as EU citizens Travellers leaving Paris admit they are uncertain about what the future holds post-BrexitThree hours before Brexit, Eurostar 9061 pulled out of Gare du Nord, pushing steadily through the grimy suburbs of northern Paris, picking up speed across the flat plains of Picardy, through the Channel tunnel and onwards to St Pancras.The 8.13pm service was the last train on the last day of Britain’s 47-year membership of the European Union. For many on board, it was also the last European journey they would be making as an EU citizens. For most, it was a bit of a moment. Continue reading... Go to Source

Goodbye, adiós and ciao: 27 Europeans say farewell to Britain After 47 years in the EU family, a divided Britain leaves for an uncertain future. Here prominent voices from the other 27 states, including Björn Ulvaeus and Nicola Coughlan, bid farewell Continue reading... Go to Source

Boris Johnson is missing in action on his big Brexit day | John Crace On the most significant day in British politics for a generation, the PM hides inside No 10Just imagine a country about to take a giant leap into the unknown. A future sold on the basis of promises no one is certain can be kept. Now imagine the person least suitable to be prime minister at this time. A man whose entire career has been built on lies, deceit and self-destruction. A narcissist whose concentration span barely extends to the end of a senten … On second thoughts, don’t bother. You’ve got him already.There are a couple of ways of interpreting Boris Johnson’s three-minute cameo posted on his Facebook page at 10pm. Neither shows the prime minister in a particularly good light. The fi...