Prime Minister Theresa May has kicked off the two-year process of Britain's withdrawal from the European Union in what she said was "an historic moment from which there can be no turning back".

Minutes after a letter informing the European Council of the UK's intention to leave, Mrs May told the House of Commons that the Government was acting on "the democratic will of the British people" expressed in last year's referendum vote for Brexit.

The historic declaration under Article 50 of the EU treaties - signed by Mrs May on Tuesday - was personally hand-delivered to EC president Donald Tusk in Brussels by the UK's permanent representative to the EU, Sir Tim Barrow.

Describing EU withdrawal as one of the "great turning points in our national story", Mrs May told MPs: "Today, the Government acts on the democratic will of the British people and it acts too on the clear and convincing position of this House."

Mrs May said: "The Article 50 process is now under way and, in accordance with the wishes of the British people, the United Kingdom is leaving the European Union.

"This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back. Britain is leaving the European Union.

"We are going to make our own decisions and our own laws, we are going to take control of the things that matter most to us, and we are going to take this opportunity to build a stronger, fairer Britain - a country that our children and grandchildren are proud to call home.

"That is our ambition and our opportunity."

The first official announcement that Article 50 had been triggered came minutes before Mrs May's statement, as Mr Tusk sent out a message on Twitter while she was taking her regular weekly session of Prime Minister's Questions.

Accompanied by a photograph of the handover of the letter, Mr Tusk wrote: "After nine months the UK has delivered. #Brexit."

 


Mrs May said leaving the EU was a "unique opportunity" to "shape a brighter future" for the UK.

She said that while the UK would remain the "best friend and neighbour" to its EU partners, it would also look beyond the borders of Europe.

"We can choose to say the task ahead is too great, we can choose to turn our face to the past and believe it can't be done, or we can look forward with optimism and hope and to believe in the enduring power of the British spirit," she said.

"I choose to believe in Britain and that our best days lie ahead."

Mrs May said the Article 50 letter set out:

That the "deep and special partnership" sought by the UK was in the interests of both Britain and the EU;

That the UK will approach the talks in a "spirit of sincere co-operation";

That the terms of the future partnership should be agreed alongside those of withdrawal within the two-year Article 50 timetable.

The Prime Minister confirmed that the final deal agreed between the UK and the EU would be put to a vote of both Houses of Parliament "before it comes into force".

She also stressed that the Government's plans would end the jurisdiction of the European Court.

"We will take control over our own laws and bring an end to the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice in Britain," she said.

Laws would be made in the four nations of the UK and interpreted by judges "not in Luxembourg but in courts across this country".

Among local reactions was that of Bournemouth University vice-chancellor John Vinney, who said overseas students would still receive a “whole-hearted welcome”.

John Vinney, vice-chancellor of Bournemouth University, said: "Our international staff and students, including our EU staff and students, make a vital contribution to BU and our local community. International staff and students, and our partners around the world, are key to our ambition for the fusion of excellent research, engagement with practice and high quality education.

"If you are thinking about joining Bournemouth University, I realise that the national debate around the UK’s plans to leave the EU may make your decision harder. BU has committed to supporting our EU and international students up to and after the date that the UK leaves the EU. Students already with us and those who join us in the future will still receive a whole-hearted welcome from all of us at BU. We want BU to be a vibrant, diverse, inclusive and international community, and we hope that you will explore the options available to you for study at BU.

"There are many questions for the higher education sector in the negotiations that are about to start, and we cannot predict the outcome, but the position of EU students who are already in the UK or planning to join us before March 2019 is a key priority.”

The Brexit process could also be crucial to Dorset’s financial services industry.

Bournemouth’s biggest private sector employer, JP Morgan, has previously said about 4,000 of its 16,000 staff could be moved out of Britain. Chief executive Jamie Dimon said in January that the number could rise or fall depending on the outcome of Brexit negotiations.

The chief executive of Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ian Girling, said: “This is a historic moment.

“It is absolutely crucial that government negotiators listen to the views of business and place the economy at the heart of any future agreement.

“Business also needs regular communication and updates from the government about progress in negotiations to keep uncertainty at a minimum and maintain confidence.

“The government must be decisive. A speedy resolution would be welcome although it must be the right deal for UK plc.

“Undoubtedly there will be challenges ahead, and exciting opportunities too. Dorset businesses have proved themselves consistently resilient over recent years.

“We must ensure that it is ‘business as usual’ in Dorset whilst placing the county and its firms in pole position to capitalise on any future agreement."