European Parliament approves Brexit deal

The last remaining obstacle to Britain leaving the EU with a deal on Friday was cleared today as the European parliament voted by 621 votes to 49 following an emotional debate in Brussels.

After the vote, MEPs marked the UK's exit by singing Auld Lang Syne.


The Parliament's Brexit spokesman, Guy Verhofstadt, said it was "sad to see a country leaving that has twice given its blood to liberate Europe." 

He added that British MEPs had brought "wit, charm, and intelligence" as well as "stubbornness", and would be missed.

The new President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said ratification of the withdrawal deal was "only a first step" towards a new partnership between the EU and the UK. The two should "join forces" in areas such as climate change, she said, and seek a close partnership following the UK's exit on Friday.

"We will always love you and we will not be far," she told the UK.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Roll on B-Day.
7:40 pm
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