Boris Johnson’s historic Brexit deal finally approved by British lawmakers
- House of Commons erupts in cheers after MPs ratify divorce arrangement by 330 votes to 231
- Britain can now leave European Union by end of month, becoming first country to do so
Britain’s parliament finally approved Brexit on Thursday, allowing it to become the first country to leave the European Union and ending years of arguments that toppled two governments and divided a nation.
The House of Commons erupted in cheers after MPs ratified Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s divorce deal with Brussels 330 votes to 231, drawing a line under an extraordinary era of political drama and chaos and allowing the country to leave the EU by the end of the month.
For much of the time since the 2016 Brexit referendum, lawmakers have been at each others’ throats over how, when or even if Britain should leave its closest trading partners after nearly 50 years.
Some viewed Brexit with horror, fearing that it stripped them of their European identities and turned Britain into an insular, less important nation.
Others embraced it with fervour, viewing it as a chance to “take back control” from officials in Brussels and see Britain regain some of its past might.