'Brexit day' divides the public: Brits react to the historic events in Europe
Members of the British public across all walks of life were today voicing both concerns and praise about leaving the EU in a heated online debate.
Opinions appeared split as closely as the result of last year's referendum as thousands of people flooded social media with their views on Brexit.
Leave campaigners hailed the in the historic day as a "victory"
Ukip’s Suzanne Evans posted triumphantly: “It's been tough fighting for #Brexit over the past few years.
“Smeared, hated, ridiculed. Today makes it all worthwhile #Article50.”
Gina - you want to know if I am planning to gloat all day? Yes darling, yes I am. pic.twitter.com/GediC7awTM
— Katie Hopkins (@KTHopkins) March 29, 2017
An amazing moment - I'm so very proud of our decision to leave, and so optimistic about our future in the world.... https://t.co/jfDGz4JJKM
— Andrea Leadsom MP (@andrealeadsom) March 28, 2017
Good morning.#BrexitDay #Article50 #UKIP pic.twitter.com/syJlFB9mXo
— Down with the left (@VillaRestal) March 29, 2017
Good morning my brave little Brexiteers xx
Happy #BrexitDay pic.twitter.com/oBm8Gn3wlr— JustGB🇬🇧 (@Little_G2) March 29, 2017
Andrea Leadsom wrote: “An amazing moment - I'm so very proud of our decision to leave, and so optimistic about our future in the world....”
And Katie Hopkins shared a picture of Gina Miller – the London businesswoman who challenged the legality of triggering Article 50 without a vote in Parliament - writing: “Gina - you want to know if I am planning to gloat all day? Yes darling, yes I am.”
Those who did not support Brexit, however, have vented anger, upset and fear on social media.
British novelist Matt Haig wrote: “I am European. That's how I see myself. Brexit wasn't just an idiotic act of political self-harm, it was an attack on our identity.
One of the saddest days in the last 200 years of British political history; one of the greatest acts of self-harm. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/GxUk1qnvUm
— Alain de Botton (@alaindebotton) March 28, 2017
This is a sad day for our country. Parliament now has responsibility to mitigate the damage and then assert itself to reject any bad deal.
— Mike Gapes (@MikeGapes) March 29, 2017
I am European. That's how I see myself. Brexit wasn't just an idiotic act of political self-harm, it was an attack on our identity. Sad day.
— Matt Haig (@matthaig1) March 29, 2017
Stepping into brand-new future.#UK #Brexit #Europe #BrexitDay #Article50 #EU #UniteForEurope pic.twitter.com/u4s2UzIUME
— Magneto (@maggnetto) March 29, 2017
“Sad day. Never felt less British. Count me out of your crappy little patriotic bulls*** w***-dream of England, Farage.”
Mike Gapes, Labour MP for Ilford South tweeted: “This is a sad day for our country.
'Cos we've got our country back now. What a day to be alive. #BrexitDay pic.twitter.com/tVsxdlI1tu
— Wyndham Wallace (@WyndhamWallace) March 29, 2017
Theresa May be like... (She let go) #BrexitDay #TheresaMay #Brexit pic.twitter.com/7iRdJysQG7
— Paul Madden (@ipaulmadden) March 29, 2017
#Brexit #article 50 a truly sad day 😩😭today can't even look at the hideous #tabloid headlines 😡
— Finntastic (@Finntastic9) March 29, 2017
“Parliament now has responsibility to mitigate the damage and then assert itself to reject any bad deal.”
The Hounslow Green Party described the day as “sad for many of us” and Swiss-born writer Alain de Botton said it was “one of the saddest days in the last 200 years of British political history”.
"Hard Brexit means... Hard... Brexit!"
Beep! Beep!
2017, o inicio de uma nova era na Europa pic.twitter.com/Vm95hLEYT4— anti-comuna (@nticomuna) March 29, 2017
@AllyFogg it represents this as #Article50 letter is delivered. #BrexitDay #Brexit pic.twitter.com/LCwEYTsTbJ
— John Rogan (@JRogan3000) March 29, 2017
Happy #BrexitDay everyone pic.twitter.com/fcfT5PCS1W
— Majere (@CmdrMajere) March 29, 2017
He added: “One of the greatest acts of self-harm. Heartbreaking."
Some Leave voters have likened the feeling of the occasion to being a “child on Christmas morning” – expressing their excitement and optimism.
Today I will get as close as possible to those feelings as a child on Christmas morning. Happy Brexit Day everyone !
— Frequent Flyer (@speedbird076) March 29, 2017
Dear Father Christmas, This year I would like Brexit and a pony... pic.twitter.com/gHFA7ACxHC
— David Bober (@mrdavidboberesq) March 28, 2017
Feeling as festive as Christmas Eve, Congratulations to the 52, have very Merry Brexit #BrexitEve #ukip #VoteLeave 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/5SdgLSIzCf
— Anthony Gant 🇬🇧 (@AdmiralGant) March 28, 2017
Happy #BrexitEve, it's like Christmas Eve, but with more democracy #Brexit #Article50
— UKIP Warrington (@ukipwarrington) March 28, 2017
The Ukip Warrington account even referred to Tuesday night as "Christmas eve but with more democracy".
But others retaliated that today was like Christmas “except instead of presents the children wake up to find their futures thrown away coz dad hates foreigners”.
It's Brexit day, it's Christmas except instead of presents the children wake up to find their futures thrown away coz dad hates foreigners
— Tom (@TDMillard) March 29, 2017
Brexit Eve. Like Christmas Eve, but Santa is a monster and we got rid of all of the presents and food because we didn't want to share them.
— Ella (@ellahrld) March 28, 2017
Ah Brexit Eve, just like Christmas Eve, except soul-crushing with literally nothing to look forward to
— Emma Kelly (@TooManyEmmas) March 28, 2017
#brexitday the #bendybananabrigade think all their Christmas's have come at once, they better prepare for long winter of discontent #brexit
— Clar Ni Fhearail (@clarefarrell) March 29, 2017
There is no doubt tensions are running high during, what Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn described as, “the country’s most important negotiations in modern times”.
But some community leaders and high-profile figures have opted to remain optimistic and reassuring.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan posted: "Throughout Brexit negotiations I will stand up for London & work to get our city the best possible deal."
"I didn’t vote for Brexit, but I am optimistic about London's future," he added.