That's it. We're out. Done. Finished. The UK is no longer a part of the European Union (but is somehow more shackled to it than ever before) and doesn't it feel great to breathe that fresh air of freedom?
Not everyone will agree with that statement but there was the sentiment on the streets of Westminster on Friday night as thousands gathered to 'celebrate' Brexit with a party, of sorts, organised by the government and Nigel Farage's Brexit Party.
There were celebrations across the country but the main party was near parliament and Downing Street as a 60-minute projection was beamed onto Number 10 counting down the UK's final hour in the EU and then fireworks were let off at 11pm. It was hardly New Years Eve. You would think after three-and-a-half years the spectacle would have been a bit better than this.
"Bye, Bye EU, Bye, Bye..." Fireworks are going off to mark the UK's exit from the EU. Sky News' @kvittozzi is spea… https://t.co/DdPNDMWHYy— Sky News (@Sky News) 1580512792
For those wanting a quiet Friday night in, the fireworks were an unwelcome reminder at what had just happened.
Me to everyone who’s setting off fireworks right now #Brexit https://t.co/QOR9QgPIua— ً (@ً) 1580512333
Just heard some fireworks to celebrate #Brexit https://t.co/jBghvYPNYe— David Opie (@David Opie) 1580511935
Thanks to whomever just woke the kids up letting off fireworks. Selfishly pissing off the many for the benefit of… https://t.co/N1N0TgmZcr— Dr Louise Raw (@Dr Louise Raw) 1580511766
the way i can hear fireworks for brexit,, im in literal hell https://t.co/y3Qm40xDyt— kiera (@kiera) 1580511920
Meanwhile, the much-debated 'Big Ben bongs for Brexit' didn't happen at all and was not much more than a badly recorded sound of bells from a Casio keyboard. Talk an anti-climax.
The recorded bongs of Big Ben ring out as a low-quality image is projected onto Number 10. Boris Johnson is nowhere… https://t.co/FD6nfvDDLg— Kirsty Strickland (@Kirsty Strickland) 1580512160
A make-believe Big Ben rather than the real Big Ben. Am I the only one who thinks that is deeply symbolic of Brexit? https://t.co/gjnj604qzs— Marcus Chown (@Marcus Chown) 1580542750
Love the fact they played recorded bells in Parliament Square tonight. Even their victory chimes are ersatz. Plasti… https://t.co/2zsgRCq32G— Otto English (@Otto English) 1580514843
Big Ben lies silent, but have no doubt, a bell is tolling somewhere... #BrexitDay https://t.co/LWBgTwG5He— Folklore Film Fans🕷️ (@Folklore Film Fans🕷️) 1580460296
Amusingly, the only sound coming from Big Ben was that of a projection by Led By Donkeys, thus continuing their relentless trolling of Brexiteers up until the bitter end.
Hey @BorisJohnson and @Nigel_Farage, we just made Big Ben bong for you😉. Sound on. https://t.co/6wnxYi9BOU— Led By Donkeys (@Led By Donkeys) 1580512493
Of course, Farage was there and footage of his party reminded us of something that Jon Snow said not so long ago.
Nigel Farage: "This is the greatest moment in modern British history." Do you agree? @nigel_farage | #Brexit |… https://t.co/z0HGl5IX6w— LBC (@LBC) 1580544180
"The war is over - we have won!" Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage speaks in the moments leading up to the UK's exi… https://t.co/yTkx2DRgcr— Channel 4 News (@Channel 4 News) 1580512525
The lunatics have taken over the asylum. This is who we are now. Happy Brexit Boxing Day. https://t.co/r6dxD2xDIn— David Schneider (@David Schneider) 1580543836
These women's comments on the evening have become almost emblematic of the entire Brexit debate.
So enamoured by Brexit they're willing to go to Downing Street to watch it happen on a big clock. Not able to list… https://t.co/0aMGD9Z0ey— James Felton (@James Felton) 1580510993
Now we cross over to Stacey and Tracey for their take on life post-Brexit https://t.co/C1Ni2txrfz— Joe (@Joe) 1580514461
Here is another sage point by Wayne from Kettering.
Wayne - "We need our infrastructure back." 🤔 #NotMyBrexit #Brexit # https://t.co/dES7cw5DYX— Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺) 1580493398
One silver lining is at least Farage doesn't have much of a platform anymore.
Might wanna rethink that bit about being an Independent Sovereign Nation, Julia.
Happy First Day In 47 Years As An Independent Sovereign Nation State, folks! I’m just glad I did some advance pos… https://t.co/kkENqAPxkv— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@Julia Hartley-Brewer) 1580545793
It remains to be seen what will happen next as the UK enters potentially years of negotiations with the EU but in the meantime let's appreciate the jokes and the mockery because if you can't cry you might as well laugh.
This is a big day for people who feel like they personally fought in WW2 despite being born in 1958.— Ash Sarkar (@Ash Sarkar) 1580508152
No one came to sing God Save the Queen over their cold bones https://t.co/2CPGMEqLZD— ARTIST TAXI DRIVER (@ARTIST TAXI DRIVER) 1580542893
A spokesperson for the #BrexitParty explains what leaving the EU means for the future of the UK. https://t.co/942MYpq1wZ— John Pitchford🌹💙 (@John Pitchford🌹💙) 1580517924
Westminster waking up outside the EU, but with no sign #Brexit will be done anytime soon. Hoping for some uncharac… https://t.co/kDbzWQzLt0— Tom Brake (@Tom Brake) 1580542272
Bad news: we are now a vassal state with no sovereignty, obeying EU rules without having any say in them. Good new… https://t.co/uRJK6g0eXX— David Schneider (@David Schneider) 1580513182
The Dawn of a New Error… https://t.co/p6JljBl3e0— Stephen Fry (@Stephen Fry) 1580481317
Meanwhile, just take a look at the contrast between these two images. Says it all really, doesn't it?
This about sums it all up https://t.co/POBZfzJo8F— James Felton (@James Felton) 1580488242