The U.K. has officially left the EU after 47 years

More than three years after the UK’s in/out referendum, the country’s membership of the EU ends.

The United Kingdom has left the European Union, after 47 years of membership.

After a 2016 referendum of UK voters resulted in a 52-48 percent win for the “leave” campaign, the country’s membership officially ceased at 23:00 GMT (midnight Brussels time).

An hour before the UK’s membership expired, Prime Minister Boris Johnson called it an “astonishing moment of hope” in a televised address to the nation.

He said this was the moment the country would “begin to unite and level up”, promising the largest revival of infrastructure since the era of Queen Victoria, who reigned between 1837 and 1901.

Tonight we have left the EU – an extraordinary turning point in the life of this country. Let us come together now to make the most of all the opportunities Brexit will bring – and let’s unleash the potential of the whole UK. ??

— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) January 31, 2020

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