At 11pm – midnight on the Continent –
Britain will legally leave the EU and enter a 'transition period' which
runs until December 31. During this time the UK will remain subject to
EU laws and free movement of people will continue.
In an ddress to be broadcast shortly
before Britain's departure at 11pm, the Prime Minister will insist that
Brexit marks 'not an end but a beginning'.
And
in a sign of the new Government's changed approach, he will convene a
symbolic Cabinet meeting this afternoon in Sunderland, the first city to
declare for Brexit when the 2016 referendum results came out
London
unfurls the flags for Brexit as the Mall in London towards Buckingham
Palace is transformed into a sea of patriotic Red White & Blue
Big Ben's clockface is pictured at 11pm on Thursday - 24 hours before the UK officially withdraws from the European Union
Buildings
on the Grand Place pulsate with lights in the red, white and blue of
the British flag during a British-themed evening titled 'Brussels
Calling' sponsored by the city the day after the European Parliament
ratified the Brexit agreement on January 30, 2020 in Brussels, Belgium
NO 10 LIGHT SHOW
The
UK's final hour in the EU will be marked with a light display in
Downing Street, including a clock counting down to 11pm projected on to
the black bricks of the famous building. Ministries around Whitehall
will be lit up in red, white and blue. The Government revealed plans for
the light show after Mr Johnson failed in his bid to get Big Ben to
bong at 11pm, the moment the UK leaves the EU – which will be midnight
in Brussels. The Prime Minister is understood to be hosting his own
private party in Downing Street.
PARLIAMENT SQUARE PARTY
Nigel
Farage is organising a celebration rally from 9pm in Parliament Square.
Speakers will include Brexit Party MEP Ann Widdecombe and Tim Martin,
the boss of Wetherspoon pubs. Participants are invited to wave flags and
sing patriotic songs. Union Jacks have been hung around the square and
down The Mall.
BRUSSELS WAVES GOODBYE
European
Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will say a final farewell in
the European Parliament just before midday. At 7.30pm, a ceremony will
see Union flags taken down inside the European Council. After 11pm our
time, the UK flag that hangs outside the European Parliament alongside
those of other EU member states will be removed. It will go to the House
Of European History museum.
50P COIN
