MP calls for Brexit night fireworks which 'can be seen from France'

Joe Gamp
·Contributor, Yahoo News UK
Updated
Natalie Elphicke MP wants to celebrate Brexit Day with a display so big "it can be seen in France"
Natalie Elphicke MP wants to celebrate Brexit Day with a display so big "it can be seen in France" (Natalie Elphicke/Getty)

A Conservative MP says Brexit should be marked by a firework display so big “that it can be seen from France”.

Natalie Elphicke, Conservative MP for Dover and Deal, called for the celebration to mark Britain’s departure from the EU at 11pm on 31 January.

The newly-elected MP – who succeeded her husband Charlie Elphicke – wants a “We love the UK banner” to replace a rival 150 square-metre, anti-Brexit sign that reads “We still love the EU”.

The pro-EU sign, planned to be hung from the White Cliffs on Brexit Day, is being crowdfunded by Liberal Democrat MEP Antony Hook.

The MP called for the Brexit day celebrations in a Facebook post
The MP called for the Brexit day celebrations in a Facebook post

Anti-Brexit MEP Mr Hook’s campaign has so far generated £13,000, nearly three times his original target of £5,000.

In a Facebook post Mrs Elphicke said a pro-UK banner should be hung instead because “people in Dover and Deal overwhelmingly to leave Europe and reclaim our place as an independent nation”.

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She wrote: “This is a moment where we can look forward with ambition to the Britain we can build in the decades to come.

“A nation where we not only respect the democratic decisions of the British people, but work together to make ours a land of opportunity and prosperity, from which every corner of our country will benefit.

Mrs Elphicke wants her banner to replace Remainer Antony Hook's 'We love EU' sign (NATALIE ELPHICKE)
The MP wants her banner to replace Remainer Antony Hook's 'We love EU' sign (Natalie Elphicke)

“That’s why the message we should be beaming on to the White Cliffs is that ‘We love the UK’ – because we are proud to become an independent nation again.”

Yahoo News has contacted Mrs Elphicke’s office for comment.

Mrs Elphicke was elected as MP for the seat after her husband stood down to fight allegations of sexual assault, which he denies.

A sign advertising the sale of 'Brexit Fireworks' is seen in the window of a hardware store near Manchester, Britain, October 28, 2019. REUTERS/Phil Noble
A sign advertising the sale of 'Brexit Fireworks' is seen in the window of a hardware store near Manchester (Reuters)

Meanwhile, the Leave Means Leave campaign group was granted permission to hold a Brexit party in Parliament Square in Westminster on 31 January.

Nigel Farage said the “Brexit celebration” will take place in Parliament Square to mark the moment the UK leaves the bloc.

And Downing Street distanced itself from a fundraising campaign set up to make Big Ben “bong” on Brexit Day – due to concerns over public donations.