The United Kingdom will say au revoir to the EU once and for all at 23:00 tonight (New Year’s Eve) some 4-and-a-half years after the country voted to leave the European Union.
On 24th June 2016, the Isle of Wight voted to leave in the EU Referendum, with 49,173 Islanders voting to Leave against 30,207 to Remain – a majority of 61.95%. A total of 79,430 votes were cast on that day.
Nationally, 51.9% of the voting population (17,410,742 votes) decided to back the Leave campaign.
Now, 4 years, 6 months and 7 days later, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has declared that the UK can have its cake and eat it as we bow out with a trade deal. The agreement between the bloc and the United Kingdom flew through both the House of Commons and House of Lords yesterday and was sent to the Queen last night, with Royal Assent given during the early hours of this morning.
The Brexit transitional period ends at 23:00 (London time) tonight.
Isle of Wight MP, Bob Seely, said yesterday:
“Today is a historic day. We voted on the free trade agreement with the EU, on a promise we made to the people of Britain to deliver Brexit.
Article continues below this advertisement “Despite the scaremongering, it was always the Government’s intention to try to reach a deal, but it had to be the right one for our country. To get a deal, we had to be prepared to walk away. It was this determination that delivered a significantly better deal that many thought possible. Well done the Prime Minister and his team.
“I believe that this deal is a strong one, and delivers on our promise to take back control of our money, borders and laws. I voted for it.”
