'Merry Fishmas everyone!': Twitter is awash with memes as Britons hail Boris Johnson's historic Brexit deal a 'Christmas miracle'

Britons today celebrated the 'early Christmas present' of a Brexit deal after the Prime Minister announced the talks had been completed following months of negotiations.

The Prime Minister finally confirmed a trade deal with the EU this afternoon in a bid to avert a chaotic split when the Brexit transition period ends on January 1.

Downing Street said the agreement was 'fantastic news', with Boris Johnson taking to Twitter to say: 'The deal is done.'

As the months of talks came to an end at last on Christmas Eve, hundreds of Britons took to social media to express their relief following weeks of uncertainty. 

One Briton dubbed the deal a Christmas 'miracle,' while others flooded Twitter with memes declaring 'Merry Fishmas everyone' following a clash with the EU over access to British fishing waters.

Britons today welcomed the 'early Christmas present' of a Brexit deal after the Prime Minister announced the talks had been completed following months of negotiations 

As the months of talks came to an end at last on Christmas Eve, hundreds of Britons took to social media to express their relief following weeks of uncertainty 

A senior No10 source said today: 'Everything that the British public was promised during the 2016 referendum and in the general election last year is delivered by this deal.

'We have taken back control of our money, borders, laws, trade and our fishing waters.

'The deal is fantastic news for families and businesses in every part of the UK. We have signed the first free trade agreement based on zero tariffs and zero quotas that has ever been achieved with the EU.'

Ursula von der Leyen told her own briefing in Brussels that the terms were 'balanced'. 'We have finally found an agreement. It was a long and winding road but we've got a good deal to show for it,' she said.

She said the EU had protected its single market, and achieved ‘five-and-a-half years of predictability for our fishing communities and strong tools to incentivise’ for access to continue afterwards. 

News of the Brexit deal saw many Britons to take to Twitter in celebration, with one user joking: 'But don't worry, arguing will resume in January.'

News of the Brexit deal saw many Britons to take to Twitter in celebration, with one user joking: 'But don't worry, arguing will resume in January'

Another added: 'Good to see a Brexit deal has finally been reached. The worst case scenario has been averted.

'We can all breathe a sigh of relief that things will proceed kind of as normal from January 1.'

'Great to hear a Brexit trade deal has finally been reached,' added another.

Others took a more lighthearted approach, sharing images referring to the quarrel that emerged over fishing in British waters during the negotiations.

The announcement was highly anticipated by many on social media earlier today, with one man writing: 'What a relief, finally both the EU and Britain are on the same page.' 

Another said the news left him 'finally feeling festive,' claiming the deal 'looks very positive for us' as 'Boris doesn't appear to have caved at all.'  

Boris Johnson  and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen have been in frequent contact as the two sides close in on a Brexit trade deal

 

Britons today celebrated the 'early Christmas present' of a Brexit deal after the Prime Minister announced the talks had been completed following months of negotiations 

'Post-Brexit trade deal is likely to be announced today,' said one Briton. 'What a relief, finally both the EU and Britain are on the same page. 

'Can't wait to see this historic agreement announced. It is a win-win for both.'  

However, others were less enthused ahead of the news, anticipating 'all the naysayers and gloom mongers condemn the deal, whatever is finally agreed.' 

Sceptics also shared images of a Fry and Laurie clip in which the actor repeatedly insists 'this is a good deal for Britain,' writing: 'Every Government minister today.' 

Some even joked they hoped Larry the cat's scuffle with a pigeon outside No10 this morning was not a 'sign of what's to come.'  

Boris Johnson joined a virtual call with British Military personnel from around the globe last night to thank them for their services and to wish them a Merry Christmas

 

Sceptics earlier shared images of a Fry and Laurie clip in which the actor repeatedly insists 'this is a good deal for Britain,' writing: 'Every Government minister today'

No10 said the terms meant the UK will not be in the 'lunar pull of the EU'. 'We are not bound by EU rules, there is no role for the European Court of Justice and all of our key red lines about returning sovereignty have been achieved,' the source said. 

'It means that we will have full political and economic independence on 1st January 2021.' 

The confirmation had been repeatedly put back as the sides argue 'fish by fish' over the rules, with Ireland warning of a 'hitch', even though UK sources insisted there are 'no major issues'.  

But the battle to sell the package to voters and Tory MPs is in full swing, as Mr Johnson rings round restive backbenchers.

Pictured: Britons react ahead of news the Brexit trade deal has been made today

An internal government assessment insisted that the UK 'won' on 43 per cent of the major issues in the £660billion package, compared to 17 per cent where the EU came out on top. 

There will be zero-tariff, zero-quota access to the EU single market - and Mr Johnson has maintained the ability to diverge from Brussels standards, with no role for the European Court of Justice. 

The document boasts that concessions were secured on rules of origin for goods, customs streamlining and 'trusted trader' schemes, while the financial services sector has been 'insulated'.  

A deal will also avoid huge disruption on top of the coronavirus crisis. 

However, the UK looks to have given ground on fishing rights, and secured little succour for the services sector. 

What were the sticking points in Brexit talks? 

FISHING

The UK insisted throughout that it would take back control of its coastal waters from the end of the transition period.

But the EU was demanding its fleets maintain previous levels of access - with Emmanuel Macron under particular pressure from the French fishing industry.   

Initially the UK said it wanted to reclaim 80 per cent of the EU quotas from January 1.

However, Brussels suggested that only 18 per cent should be restored.

The two sides are thought to have found a 'landing zone' that includes a figure between those and a transition period.

If reports are right that the UK is reclaiming just 25 per cent of the EU's fishing quota, phased in over five and a half years, that would look to be closer to the EU position.

However, Downing Street will insist that means the UK can be catching two thirds of fish in our waters by the year 2026.

LEVEL PLAYING FIELD 

The EU insisted the UK should commit to 'level playing field' provisions, guaranteeing that it will not undercut businesses with lower environmental standards and regulation.

State aid has emerged as a particular issue, especially as coronavirus makes swathes of the economy unviable. 

But the UK said it must regain sovereign powers to decide on rules, even though it has no plans to lower standards or warp competition by subsidising the private sector. 

It appeared this area was close to resolution, before France reportedly laid down a series of extra conditions including huge punishments for breaking the rules.

Although the UK is happy with 'non-regression' - meaning current standards are accepted as a baseline - it took issue with swingeing unilateral penalties and complained the proposals were 'asymmetrical' as the EU would be freer to prop up industries. 

GOVERNANCE

The enforcement of any deal, and who decides whether rules are broken, has been one of the flashpoints from the start.

Breaking free of the European Court of Justice was among the biggest demands of Brexiteers from the referendum. 

But the EU was pushing to keep control of the governance, as well as insisting on tough fines and punitive tariffs for breaches.

The situation was inflamed by the row over the UK's Internal Market Bill, which gave ministers the power to override the previous Brexit divorce terms to prevent blockages between Britain and Northern Ireland.

The resolution of that spat is thought to have been critical in hammering out a wider trade deal.