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Jeremy Corbyn seized Brexit day to voice his opposition to a “toxic Trump deal” for trade with the US once Britain departs the European Union.
The Labour leader, who insisted upon keeping a neutral stance on Brexit during his failed election campaign, spoke of the choices Britain had to make upon departing the bloc.
Speaking ahead of 11pm, when the nation formally leaves, he said: “Today, we are leaving the European Union. I know there will be different views and feelings about it.
“Britain’s place in the world will change.
“The question now is, ‘what direction will we take?'”
He said the UK would have the opportunity to work with other nations to develop rights and protections, while investing in communities and tackling the “climate crisis”.
The Labour leader, who is set to be replaced in April, said Britain could be “internationalist” and “outward looking”.
Brexit Day at Parliament Square – In pictures
1/17
Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London
PA
2/17
Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London
PA
3/17
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London
PA
4/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
5/17
A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square
Reuters
6/17
Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union
PA
7/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
8/17
A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
9/17
People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London
AFP via Getty Images
10/17
A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
11/17
A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square
AP
12/17
Joseph Afrane in Westminster
Jeremy Selwyn
13/17
Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
AFP via Getty Images
14/17
A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar’s paintings in Parliament Square
Getty Images
15/17
A man in an oversized ‘Keep America Great’ hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament
AFP via Getty Images
16/17
A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square
Reuters
17/17
A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square
PA
1/17
Anti-Brexit protesters in Parliament Square, London
PA
2/17
Police presence at anti-Brexit protests in Parliament Square, London
PA
3/17
The Winston Churchill statue and Union flags in Parliament Square, London
PA
4/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
5/17
A man carries an EU themed wreath at Parliament Square
Reuters
6/17
Anti-Brexit demonstrators in Parliament Square, London, ahead of the UK leaving the European Union
PA
7/17
Pro Brexit supporters hold placards at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
8/17
A man wears a President, Donald Trump mask and holds an American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
9/17
People hold placards in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament in London
AFP via Getty Images
10/17
A man holds up a President, Donald Trump, American flag at Parliament Square as people prepare for Brexit
Getty Images
11/17
A Red Viking apple with the Union Jack is displayed and given out for free to promote British produce as an Anti-Brexit demonstrator waves the European Union flag in Parliament Square
AP
12/17
Joseph Afrane in Westminster
Jeremy Selwyn
13/17
Pro-EU anti-Brexit protesters hold placards in Parliament Square
AFP via Getty Images
14/17
A man takes a photo of political artist Kaya Mar’s paintings in Parliament Square
Getty Images
15/17
A man in an oversized ‘Keep America Great’ hat and draped with a US flag holds a Union Flag in Parliament Square opposite the Houses of Parliament
AFP via Getty Images
16/17
A woman holds a newspaper at Parliament Square
Reuters
17/17
A woman wears a face mask in Parliament Square
PA
However, he then spoke of his fears of what the other options could be, speaking of how the nation could “turn inwards, trade our principles, rights and standards to secure a sell out trade deal with President Trump and others”.
“Today is only the beginning… we will hold the government to account every step of the way,” he said.
“We will resist a toxic Trump deal that puts our NHS, food safety and standards at risk.”
Ending his message, he said: “Whatever side we took in the Brexit debate, we now need to bring the country together to shape our common future.”
