Inside Politics: Boris Johnson claims new dawn is breaking as Brexit day arrives

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Can we ever overcome our past? Scientists have just discovered that lungs can “magically heal” the damage done by cigarettes once smokers have quit. Boris Johnson is hoping Britain can, somehow, be magically healed from the damage Brexit has inflicted on the body politic after we quit the EU tonight. Expect to hear a lot of talk about catharsis and new beginnings. But is Westminster ready to move on from the shouting and screaming, the lies and lunacy, the flag-waving and foolhardy mistakes? No, almost certainly not. There’s plenty more where all that came from. I’m Adam Forrest, and welcome to The Independent’s daily Inside Politics briefing.

Inside the bubble

Our political editor Andrew Woodcock on what to look out for on Brexit day:

Boris Johnson has arranged for a special cabinet meeting in Sunderland – the city that first declared its desire to leave the EU back in 2016 – this morning. His symbolic gesture may be overshadowed by Nicola Sturgeon, who will address an audience of SNP supporters in Edinburgh and set out “next steps” in her bid to hold another independence referendum. Later, attention will turn to the Brexit night parties as we officially go it alone. The PM will make a speech at 10pm before a countdown clock is projected onto Downing Street to mark the big moment at 11pm.

Daily briefing

BLISS IT WAS IN THAT DAWN: Boris Johnson is so excited about throwing off the shackles of Brussels that he’s mixing his metaphors. In his address to the nation tonight, the PM will declare: “This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act.” Remember, this is a man who once declared himself pro-European because it gave him the chance to “scoff croissants … and generally make love to foreign women”. But we’ll let that slide at this historic juncture. Once the dust settles, Johnson is reportedly ready to call for a zero-tariff trade deal based on EU-Canada arrangements. But nobody cares about that right now. We want to know about the parties. For Tories too discreet and snobbish to attend Nigel Farage’s big Brexit blowout in Parliament Square, Jon Moynihan – the multimillionaire who looked after Vote Leave’s finances – is said to be throwing a lavish soiree in the back garden of his Chelsea mansion. Some will be expected to attend Dominic Cummings’s celebration inside No 10. The poor sods.

PORTRAIT OF A BULLS*** ARTIST: For Nigel Farage it is forever and always about Nigel Farage. The Brexit Party leader unveiled a portrait of himself entitled “Mr Brexit” at a Soho watering hole, with none other than Jim Davidson – Mr Naff – giving a speech to mark the occasion. “This is a huge, huge week for me,” said Farage the rampant egotist – before turning all John and Yoko. “The war is over. The healing process is happening. It’s really happening.” Is it though Nigel? Anti-Brexit folk look set to push the EU anthem Ode to Joy to the top of the official UK singles chart today. And pro-Europe supporters are expected to march through Whitehall around 3pm. Over in Brussels, the city’s authorities have dressed the famous Mannekin Pis statue of a urinating boy in a John Bull costume, complete with a Union flag waistcoat. They are not trying to take the p***. It’s part of a series of sincerely fond farewell tributes.

HELLO DARKNESS MY OLD FRIEND: Nicola Sturgeon is threatening to create some actual, proper news today by announcing her “next steps” towards a second independence referendum. Will it be legal action against the UK government? Will she declare a date and be done with it? The other party leaders and world-be leaders will have to make do with vague rhetoric. Acting Lib Dem boss Sir Ed Davey said his party would never stop fighting to have the “closest possible relationship” with the EU. He said we are allowed to mourn this “dark day” but we should all come together after that. It’s probably best to do Jeremy Corbyn a favour and ignore his remarks on Europe (he never did have anything interesting to say about it). Pro-EU Labour figures revealed their plans to get through it tonight. Tom Watson said he was going to see an AC/DC tribute band in Birmingham, explaining: “As the lyrics go: dirty deeds, done dirt cheap.” Peter Mandelson, New Labour’s prince of darkness, will be pulling the curtains tight. “I will be tucked up in bed reading my book, hoping to fall asleep as quickly as possible.”

FEEDING FRENZY: Sir Lindsay Hoyle has more important things to worry about than all this Brexit stuff. The new Commons speaker attended a press gallery lunch to explain how things were going to work from now on. “The bullying is over. We are not going to tolerate it. I want to make this a better village for all of us.” He did not have anything nice to say about John Bercow. Asked about the old boss and whether he had witnessed or experienced any bullying under him, Sir Lindsay said: “We had a working relationship – that’s the best way to describe it.” Ooof! He might as well have said: “I acknowledge John Bercow is a person who exists.” Sir Lindsay also said he had no problem with MPs breastfeeding in the chamber. “I think it would be wrong for me as a man to dictate on that policy.” A thwarter of bullies and feminist hero to boot.

THE QUIET AMERICAN: Mike Pompeo is getting the hell out of Blighty before the limeys start going nuts for Brexit tonight. The US secretary of state’s talks in London seemed to have gone pretty well for Johnson and foreign secretary Dominic Raab. Despite the Trump administration’s objections to Huawei’s role in Britain’s 5G network, Pompeo remained polite and said the US would help the UK “reduce risks”. Intelligence-sharing arrangements would continue and a trade deal is still on track. On Anne Sacoolas, the American suspect wanted for questioning in relation to the death of Harry Dunn, Pompeo refused to explain the rejection of the UK’s extradition request. He was asked by one cheeky reporter: “We want Anne Sacoolas, you want Prince Andrew – is there a deal to be done?” The Trump official smiled and replied: “I am confident each of these cases will be resolved on their relative merits.”

On the record

“He is a tough guy, but I like him as a person.”

Jean-Claude Juncker, former EU Commission president, on Boris Johnson.

From the Twitterati

“Brussels has lit up its main square in Union Jack colours to say goodbye to the Brits.”

The Independent’s Jon Stone is there to see the tribute...

“Just your average imperialist project celebrating a subdued and oppressed colony for finally breaking free.”

...while historian Helene Von Bismarck suggests the EU imperialists aren’t such a bad bunch.

Essential reading

Mark Steel, The Independent: As Brexit day approaches, let us celebrate our biggest victory – the freedom to drink very bad wine

Mark Dejevsky, The Independent: Just you wait – Boris Johnson will soon show his true centrist colours

Jeremy Cliffe, New Statesman: The end of the affair: what next for Britain after Brexit?

Jochen Bittner, The New York Times: Britain is leaving. Europe has to change

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