Britons today welcomed the ‘early Christmas present’ of a Brexit deal after the Prime Minister announced the talks had been completed following months of negotiations.
The Prime Minister finally confirmed a trade deal with the EU this afternoon in a bid to avert a chaotic split when the Brexit transition period ends on January 1.
Downing Street said the agreement was ‘fantastic news’ – with Boris Johnson now set to hold a press conference later today.
As the months of talks came to an end at last on Christmas Eve, hundreds of Britons took to social media to express their relief following weeks of uncertainty.
One Briton dubbed the deal a ‘miracle,’ while others had earlier welcomed ‘a glimmer of hope’ in a year plundered by the coronavirus pandemic.
Britons today welcomed the ‘early Christmas present’ of a Brexit deal after the Prime Minister (pictured) announced the talks had been completed following months of negotiations
As the months of talks looked set to come to an end at last, hundreds of Britons took to social media to express their relief following weeks of uncertainty
Following the news, a senior No10 source said: ‘Everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal.
‘We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters.
‘The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK. We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved with the EU.’
Ursula von der Leyen told her own briefing in Brussels that the terms were ‘balanced’.
‘We have finally found an agreement. It was a long and winding road but we’ve got a good deal to show for it,’ she said.
She said the EU had protected its single market, and achieved ‘five-and-a-half years of predictability for our fishing communities and strong tools to incentivise’ for access to continue afterwards.
The announcement was highly anticipated by many on social media earlier today, with one man writing: ‘What a relief, finally both the EU and Britain are on the same page.’
Another said the news left him ‘finally feeling festive,’ claiming the deal ‘looks very positive for us’ as ‘Boris doesn’t appear to have caved at all.’
‘Post-Brexit trade deal is likely to be announced today,’ said one Briton. ‘What a relief, finally both the EU and Britain are on the same page.
‘Can’t wait to see this historic agreement announced. It is a win-win for both.’
Boris Johnson and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen (pictured) have been in frequent contact as the two sides close in on a Brexit trade deal
Others welcomed the news after ‘four long years,’ asking what news there will be to focus on once the deal is struck
Others welcomed the news after ‘four long years,’ asking what news there will be to focus on once the deal is struck.
‘Will there finally be an end to this?’ asked another.
A third user said: ‘Four and a half years later, we finally find out what Brexit means.’
However, others were less enthused by the news, anticipating ‘all the naysayers and gloom mongers [will] condemn the deal, whatever is finally agreed.’
Sceptics also shared images of a Fry and Laurie clip in which the actor repeatedly insists ‘this is a good deal for Britain,’ writing: ‘Every Government minister today.’
Some even joked they hoped Larry the cat’s scuffle with a pigeon outside No10 this morning was not a ‘sign of what’s to come.’
Boris Johnson joined a virtual call with British Military personnel from around the globe last night to thank them for their services and to wish them a Merry Christmas
Sceptics today shared images of a Fry and Laurie clip (above) in which the actor repeatedly insists ‘this is a good deal for Britain,’ writing: ‘Every Government minister today’
No10 said the terms meant the UK will not be in the ‘lunar pull of the EU’. ‘We are not bound by EU rules, there is no role for the European Court of Justice and all of our key red lines about returning sovereignty have been achieved,’ the source said.
‘It means that we will have full political and economic independence on 1st January 2021.’
The confirmation had been repeatedly put back as the sides argue ‘fish by fish’ over the rules, with Ireland warning of a ‘hitch’, even though UK sources insisted there are ‘no major issues’.
But the battle to sell the package to voters and Tory MPs is in full swing, as Mr Johnson rings round restive backbenchers.
Pictured: Britons respond to upcoming Brexit trade announcement which is expected today
An internal government assessment insisted that the UK ‘won’ on 43 per cent of the major issues in the £660billion package, compared to 17 per cent where the EU came out on top.
There will be zero-tariff, zero-quota access to the EU single market – and Mr Johnson has maintained the ability to diverge from Brussels standards, with no role for the European Court of Justice.
The document boasts that concessions were secured on rules of origin for goods, customs streamlining and ‘trusted trader’ schemes, while the financial services sector has been ‘insulated’.
A deal will also avoid huge disruption on top of the coronavirus crisis.
However, the UK looks to have given ground on fishing rights, and secured little succour for the services sector.