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Brexit: MEPs say goodbye to UK ahead of Brexit vote | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Members of the European Parliament are bidding farewell to UK colleagues ahead of a final vote on the Brexit deal. | |
The withdrawal agreement is expected to be signed off at the historic session of the 751-member assembly in Brussels. | |
Some MEPs have marked the occasion with songs - others wore "always united" scarves. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen told the UK: "We will always love you." | |
The UK is due to leave the EU at 23:00 GMT on Friday. | |
Ratification of the withdrawal agreement, agreed by the UK and EU in October, is not in doubt after it easily cleared its committee stage last week. | |
Departing British members are expected to be serenaded by their colleagues in a special ceremony after the vote, which is due at 17.00 GMT. | |
The session will see those on either side of the Brexit debate, including the UK's 73 MEPs, celebrate or lament the end of British EU membership. | |
Ahead of the vote, the Parliament's Brexit spokesman, Guy Verhofstadt, said the UK's departure would be a sad occasion for the assembly. | |
"It's sad to see a country leaving that has twice given its blood to liberate Europe," he told the chamber. | |
He added that British MEPs had brought "wit, charm, and intelligence," as well as "stubbornness" and would be missed. | |
Meanwhile the S&D coalition, which houses Labour's 10 MEPs, displayed a sign aimed at departing British members, which read: "It's not goodbye, it's au revoir." | |
European Parliament President David Sassoli, also a member of the group, joined the group in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. | European Parliament President David Sassoli, also a member of the group, joined the group in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne. |
On Tuesday evening, several MEPs in the Green group also held a ceremony to mark the UK's departure. | On Tuesday evening, several MEPs in the Green group also held a ceremony to mark the UK's departure. |
Other prominent figures expected to speak include the UK's Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who has been campaigning for the UK's exit since before he was first elected to the Brussels Parliament in 1999. | Other prominent figures expected to speak include the UK's Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, who has been campaigning for the UK's exit since before he was first elected to the Brussels Parliament in 1999. |
He told reporters earlier he would miss being the assembly's "pantomime villain," but vowed his Brexit Party would not "vacate the battlefield". | |
While Brexit Party MEPs spoke of their joy and relief at leaving, others shared messages of sadness on social media as they prepared to vote for the last time. | While Brexit Party MEPs spoke of their joy and relief at leaving, others shared messages of sadness on social media as they prepared to vote for the last time. |
Liberal Democrats shared pictures of gifts from the pro-European Renew Europe group. | Liberal Democrats shared pictures of gifts from the pro-European Renew Europe group. |
The Green Party's Alexandra Phillips tweeted: "I'm devastated to be leaving the best job in the world. I get to make real change every day while being surrounded by 27 different languages and cultures." | The Green Party's Alexandra Phillips tweeted: "I'm devastated to be leaving the best job in the world. I get to make real change every day while being surrounded by 27 different languages and cultures." |
The EU's negotiators have kept the European Parliament on board throughout the Brexit process. | The EU's negotiators have kept the European Parliament on board throughout the Brexit process. |
Its main committees have given their approval. So it's inevitable that the deal will be endorsed. Instead of a moment of jeopardy, this is likely to be the highest profile event in the EU's distinctly low-key goodbye to the UK. | Its main committees have given their approval. So it's inevitable that the deal will be endorsed. Instead of a moment of jeopardy, this is likely to be the highest profile event in the EU's distinctly low-key goodbye to the UK. |
Expect speeches that praise EU unity and describe the UK's departure as a regrettable mistake. A German MEP is planning a sing-a-long to Auld Lang Syne. The SNP group have arranged for a piper to play them out of the building. | Expect speeches that praise EU unity and describe the UK's departure as a regrettable mistake. A German MEP is planning a sing-a-long to Auld Lang Syne. The SNP group have arranged for a piper to play them out of the building. |
In the meantime, the 73 British members are packing their belongings into their regulation-issue 15 cardboard boxes. | In the meantime, the 73 British members are packing their belongings into their regulation-issue 15 cardboard boxes. |
The main send-off will happen on Friday, when the president of the European Parliament will deliver a joint statement alongside the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. | The main send-off will happen on Friday, when the president of the European Parliament will deliver a joint statement alongside the presidents of the European Council and the European Commission. |
The British flag that flutters outside the parliamentary premises will be lowered in the early hours of Saturday morning, before it's displayed in a museum. | The British flag that flutters outside the parliamentary premises will be lowered in the early hours of Saturday morning, before it's displayed in a museum. |
After the UK leaves, there will be an 11-month transition period in which the two sides hope to negotiate their future economic relationship. | After the UK leaves, there will be an 11-month transition period in which the two sides hope to negotiate their future economic relationship. |
Trade talks are expected to begin in earnest in early March. The European Parliament will also get a say in ratifying any future trade deal. | Trade talks are expected to begin in earnest in early March. The European Parliament will also get a say in ratifying any future trade deal. |
The UK has insisted talks should not extend beyond 31 December 2020 when a transition period - which will see the UK follow EU rules - comes to an end. | The UK has insisted talks should not extend beyond 31 December 2020 when a transition period - which will see the UK follow EU rules - comes to an end. |
President Sassoli told CNN on Tuesday that the timetable for a deal was tight. | President Sassoli told CNN on Tuesday that the timetable for a deal was tight. |
He said the UK's exit would be "painful" for the bloc but building a new partnership based upon friendly co-operation and mutual interests was now essential. | He said the UK's exit would be "painful" for the bloc but building a new partnership based upon friendly co-operation and mutual interests was now essential. |