*Warns of more ‘bumps in the road’ and appeals for unity

*Read full text of address below

Boris Johnson tonight vowed Brexit will ‘unleash’ Britain but warned there will be more ‘bumps in the road’ – as the historic moment arrived.

In an address to the nation, the PM shunned triumphalism despite the UK finally leaving the EU when the clock struck 11pm after four years of turmoil.

Instead he appealed for unity – and insisted he recognised that not everyone was delighted with the path the country is taking. Mr Johnson said the EU had ‘admirable’ qualities but was going in a direction that ‘no longer suits’ the UK.

Speaking from Downing Street in the pre-recorded message – but notably without any patriotic backdrop – the premier said it was crucial to take advantage of reclaiming sovereignty to ‘level up’ the country, and improve life in left-behind areas.

‘For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come,’ he said.

‘And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.

‘Then of course there is a third group – perhaps the biggest – who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end.

‘I understand all those feelings, and our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together now and take us forward.’

Mr Johnson voiced pride that he was able to ‘obey’ the verdict of the British people, but stressed the legal exit from the EU was ‘not an end but a beginning’.

‘This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act in our great national drama,’ he said.

No10 and other government buildings in Whitehall were lit up for the crucial occasion, and Nigel Farage is headlining the party in Parliament Square.

However, the official celebrations are deliberately low-key. Mr Johnson himself hosted a reception in Downing Street, drinking English sparkling wine with guests believed to include girlfriend Carrie and aides.

Meanwhile, Remainers have been showing their dismay across the UK, with angry demonstrations in Scotland.

While Britain is now legally out of the bloc, Brussels rules will still apply for another 11 months under ‘transition’ arrangements. The EU is gearing up for another major battle over future trade terms.

The below is the full text of Boris Johnson’s address to the country:

“Tonight we are leaving the European Union.

For many people this is an astonishing moment of hope, a moment they thought would never come.

And there are many of course who feel a sense of anxiety and loss.

And then of course there is a third group – perhaps the biggest – who had started to worry that the whole political wrangle would never come to an end.

I understand all those feelings, and our job as the government – my job – is to bring this country together now and take us forward.

And the most important thing to say tonight is that this is not an end but a beginning. This is the moment when the dawn breaks and the curtain goes up on a new act in our great national drama.

And yes it is partly about using these new powers – this recaptured sovereignty – to deliver the changes people voted for.

Whether that is by controlling immigration or creating freeports or liberating our fishing industry or doing free trade deals. Or simply making our laws and rules for the benefit of the people of this country.

And of course I think that is the right and healthy and democratic thing to do.

Because for all its strengths and for all its admirable qualities, the EU has evolved over 50 years in a direction that no longer suits this country.

And that is a judgment that you, the people, have now confirmed at the polls. Not once but twice.

And yet this moment is far bigger than that. It is not just about some legal extrication.

It is potentially a moment of real national renewal and change.

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.

This is the moment when we really begin to unite and level up. Defeating crime, transforming our NHS, and with better education, with superb technology.

And with the biggest revival of our infrastructure since the Victorians.

We will spread hope and opportunity to every part of the UK. And if we can get this right I believe that with every month that goes by we will grow in confidence not just at home but abroad

And in our diplomacy, in our fight against climate change, In our campaigns for human rights or female education or free trade we will rediscover muscles that we have not used for decades.

The power of independent thought and action. Not because we want to detract from anything done by our EU friends – of course not.

We want this to be the beginning of a new era of friendly cooperation. Between the EU and an energetic Britain.

A Britain that is simultaneously a great European power. And truly global in our range and ambitions.

And when I look at this country’s incredible assets – our scientists, our engineers, our world-leading universities, our armed forces.

When I look at the potential of this country waiting to be unleashed, I know that we can turn this opportunity into a stunning success.

And whatever the bumps in the road ahead, I know that we will succeed.

We have obeyed the people. We have taken back the tools of self-government.

Now is the time to use those tools to unleash the full potential of this brilliant country and to make better the lives of everyone in every corner of our United Kingdom.”

-Dailymail.co.uk