LONDON – The United Kingdom has finally completed its economic separation from the European Union, embarking on a new era of greater freedom, but with greater isolation from its continental neighbors.
While Brexit was officially concluded in January 2020, Thursday marked the end of a transitional period in which the United Kingdom followed all EU rules and regulations.
When London’s Big Ben hit 11:00 pm – midnight Brussels time – the end result of the Brexit process took place, to the delight of those who supported Brexit and the consternation of those who continue to fear its consequences.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who campaigned for the UK to leave the EU, called the new year “an incredible time for this country”.
“We have our freedom in our hands and it’s up to us to make the most of it,” he said in a New Year video message.
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The EU is a political and economic club of 27 nations, united by common rules, laws and free trade values. The bloc was born in part from the desire to never repeat the violence of World War II.
On 23 June 2016, the British people voted to leave the bloc by 52 to 48 percent. Four years of national drama followed, while the vote exposed deep divisions across the country that have shocked many and are difficult to heal.
During the transition period last year, the UK maintained the same rules as the remaining 27 countries while trying to negotiate a post-Brexit trade agreement with the EU. After months of what appeared to be an impasse in the negotiations, the two sides announced an innovative deal last week just days before Thursday’s deadline.
Now Britain has left the European bloc’s vast single market and customs union, which allows people, goods and services to flow freely in more than two dozen countries.
The new trade agreement eliminates most of the shared rules and regulations, but maintains free trade between the UK and the EU. He also maintains some cooperation in areas such as security, aviation and science.
But companies face new costs and paperwork, including customs declarations and border controls, and will have to digest the new rules imposed by the trade agreement.
Like this year’s New Year festivities, celebrations or meetings to mourn the moment have been silenced, as restrictions on coronavirus have made most people stay at home.
For some, Thursday will be remembered as the day the UK finally got rid of the handcuffs of the Brussels-based bloc. For others, it will be regretted as the day when Britain drifted away, a leap into the unknown during a turbulent era as the world struggles to control the coronavirus pandemic.
But last month’s post-Brexit deal and Thursday’s deadline could mean some Britons start moving forward. Whereas some are already campaigning to join again.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
