Britain — a financial and diplomatic big-hitter plus a major NATO power — is the first member state to leave the EU, which was set up to forge unity after the horrors of World War II.
Brexit has dominated British politics since the country’s narrow vote to leave the bloc in June 2016, opening deep political and social wounds which remain raw. “The destiny of this great country now resides firmly in our hands,” he said in a statement released by his Downing Street office.Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer, a fierce opponent of Brexit, said his party would now push for “greater prosperity, fairness and opportunity,” with the country “forging a new path” in the world.
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, including Johnson himself. As well as ensuring tariff- and quota-free access to the EU’s 450 million consumers, Britain has recently signed trade deals with countries including Japan, Canada, Singapore and Turkey.
British fishermen are disgruntled at a compromise to allow continued access to EU boats in British waters.