Jubilant Tories have hailed the first day after Brexit – ridiculing doom-laden predictions about the consequences.
Defence minister James Heappey joked that the ‘sky has not fallen in’, tweeting that it was a ‘big relief’.
Meanwhile, Steve Barclay and James Duddridge have expressed joy despite their jobs as Brexit Secretary and minister having been axed on the stroke of 11pm – when the government department was abolished.
It has also emerged that even Boris Johnson’s dog Dilyn was partying last night. The PM’s partner Carrie Symonds posted a picture of their pet clad in a Union flag coat, apparently taken at a reception held in No10 last night.
Boris Johnson’s partner Carrie Symonds posted a picture of their dog Dilyn clad in a Union flag coat last night
Defence minister James Heappey joked today that the ‘sky has not fallen in’, tweeting that it was a ‘big relief’
Steve Barclay tendered his resignation as Brexit Secretary at 11.01pm, saying it had been a ‘great honour’
In an address to the nation last night, the PM shunned triumphalism despite the UK finally leaving the EU after four years of turmoil
The government had already announced that the Brexit department was being scrapped immediately the UK leaves the EU.
The premier is expected to bring forward wider changes to Whitehall when he carries out a major reshuffle over the next couple of weeks.
Mr Barclay tendered his resignation at 11.01pm, saying it had been a ‘great honour’ – and it is not clear whether he will be brought back into the fold by Mr Johnson in his new-look team.
Mr Duddridge declared it was ‘job done’ this morning and he was leaving government.
He wrote: ‘Last night, we got the job done! It has been a privilege to serve in the team that delivered Brexit, and with @DExEU having achieved its purpose, l have written to @BorisJohnson to formally resign as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.’
As the historic moment finally arrived last night, Mr Johnson vowed Brexit will ‘unleash’ Britain but warned there will be more ‘bumps in the road’.
In an address to the nation, the PM shunned triumphalism despite the UK finally leaving the EU after four years of turmoil.
Instead he appealed for unity – and insisted he recognised that not everyone was delighted with the path the country is taking. Mr Johnson said the EU had ‘admirable’ qualities but was going in a direction that ‘no longer suits’ the UK.
Speaking from Downing Street in the pre-recorded message – but notably without any patriotic backdrop – the premier said it was crucial to take advantage of reclaiming sovereignty to ‘level up’ the country, and improve life in left-behind areas.
‘For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come,’ he said.
‘And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.
‘Then of course there is a third group – perhaps the biggest – who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end.
‘I understand all those feelings, and our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together now and take us forward.’
Mr Johnson voiced pride that he was able to ‘obey’ the verdict of the British people, but stressed the legal exit from the EU was ‘not an end but a beginning’.
Mr Duddridge declared it was ‘job done’ this morning and he was quitting as Brexit minister
The massive change was recorded in lights on the white cliffs of Dover as the UK came to terms with the new reality
Union flags were prominently on show as Brexit supporters showed their delight about the departure from the EU last night
Happy Brexiteers were out in force in Parliament Square last night as the clocked ticked down on the UK’s time in the EU
‘This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act in our great national drama,’ he said.
No10 and other government buildings in Whitehall were lit up for the crucial occasion, and Nigel Farage is headlining the party in Parliament Square.
However, the official celebrations were deliberately low-key. Mr Johnson himself hosted a reception in Downing Street, drinking English sparkling wine with guests believed to include girlfriend Carrie and aides.
Meanwhile, Remainers have been showing their dismay across the UK, with angry demonstrations in Scotland.
While Britain is now legally out of the bloc, Brussels rules will still apply for another 11 months under ‘transition’ arrangements. The EU is gearing up for another major battle over future trade terms.