Goodbye, Europe. After years of Brexit turmoil, Britain finally leaves the E.U.

The party's decadeslong internecine battle over Britain's membership in the E.U. precipitated the 2016 Brexit vote."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," he added, a likely reference to the Conservatives' recent success in wooing voters from the north of England who had traditionally voted for the opposition.To celebrate the event, thousands of people descended on a pro-Brexit rally outside Parliament, an event awash with union flags, but also other banners denouncing the "traitors" who oppose Brexit."I think it's great that it's happening, finally, after so much dither and delay," said Luke Doherty, 21, a student at Cardiff University in Wales, who was one of those who braved a drizzly night in central London. Shouts of "Rule Britannia" and "Come on, England!" punctuated the night air, as well as angry boos for the media and anti-Brexit politicians.Perhaps not wanting to gloat, the government opted for a modest light show and the release of a commemorative 50 pence coin, rather than an ostentatious fireworks display or a larger event.This site is protected by recaptcha Privacy Policy | Terms of ServiceSteve Baker, a Conservative lawmaker, tweeted that he was "bearing in mind our need to unite this country when many people feel great sorrow about leaving the E.U." He said he was "encouraging magnanimity from Brexit supporters."But despite Johnson's and the government's conciliatory tone, the wounds of Brexit show little signs of healing.After all, the June 23, 2016, referendum was a close one, with 52 percent voting to leave the E.U. and 48 percent to remain.