Brexit: Boris Johnson hails 'dawn of a new era' as UK leaves EU at 11pm tonight

Boris Johnson will tonight pledge to “bring this country together” as we finally leave the EU almost four years after the referendum.

The PM will address the nation as the clock ticks down to 11pm and Britain embarks on an uncertain future.

Outgoing Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn yesterday urged the Government not to engage in “a race to the bottom” to get a US trade deal. The long-time eurosceptic, who stands down in April, called for a “truly internationalist, diverse, outward-looking Britain”.

The PM will claim leaving ­represents “a moment of national renewal and change” and that – after 10 years of Tory rule – he will finally begin “levelling up” spend­­ing across the UK.

He knows many in the North and Midlands who “lent” Tories their votes to deliver Brexit have high expectations on domestic policy he may not be able to deliver.

There are also con­­cerns over whether he can make good on his promise of a trade deal.

The PM will today host a symbolic meeting of his Cabinet in the North of England. Ministers will gather in Sunderland, the first city to declare support for Brexit.

Johnson will claim departure creates an opportunity to unleash the UK’s international potential.

But trade experts and EU officials have warned that chances of striking a trade deal within the deadline of a year are unlikely.

The PM will say: “Our job as a Government – my job – is to bring this country together and take us forward. And the most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning.

“This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act. It is a moment of real national renewal and change.

"This is the dawn of a new era in which we no longer accept that your life chances – your family’s life chances – should depend on which part of the country you grow up in.

“This is the moment we begin to unite and level up.” The PM refused to allow broadcasters to record his address and used his own crew.

Brexit will be marked across the country tonight. A countdown will be projected on to the facade of No 10 and union jacks will flutter across central London. Mr Johnson, along with partner Carrie Symonds, is expected at a No 10 party for staff.

Brexit Party boss Nigel Farage will celebrate in Parliament Square while EU supporters will stage protests in Liverpool, Doncaster and Harrogate.

Remainers will also gather next to the London Eye to create a sea of people holding candles and torches on their mobile phones. There is also a battle in the charts with Remainers hoping to place EU anthem Ode to Joy at the top while Leavers want their own song, 17 Million F***-Offs by Dominic Frisby, to chart higher.

Labour leadership contestant Lisa Nandy said: “I’ve been through the grieving process for the last three years and my heart goes out to people on Friday who will feel bereft.

“This is a big moment for the UK and not one we should have taken.”

Shadow Brexit Secretary and fellow candidate Keir Starmer called for an end to the years of division and for three million EU nationals living in the UK to be granted a vote.