Brexit becomes a reality on Thursday, December 31, as Britain leaves Europe's customs union and single market, ending nearly half a century of often turbulent ties with its closest neighbors.
Legally, Britain left on January 31 but has been in a standstill transition period during fractious talks to a secure a free-trade agreement with Brussels, which was finally clinched on Christmas Eve. The EU has lost 66 million people and an economy worth $2.85 trillion, but Brexit, with its appeal to nationalist populism, also triggered fears other disgruntled members could follow suit."It's been a long road. It's time now to put Brexit behind us. Our future is made in Europe," European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday, as she signed the trade pact.
Public gatherings are banned due to the coronavirus outbreak, which has claimed more than 72,000 lives and infected more than 2.4 million in Britain,But Johnson is looking not only to a future free of COVID-19 but also of rules set in Brussels, as Britain forges its own path for the first time since it joined the old European Economic Community in 1973., and a"new beginning" for a prosperous, more globally focused Britain.
That includes disruption at the ports, which have stoked fears of food and medicine shortages, as well as delays to holidaymakers and business travellers used to seamless travel in the EU.at a compromise to allow continued access to EU boats in British waters.