Brexit provides an 'opportunity,' says Doncaster mayor ahead of Britain leaving the EU tonight

Doncaster mayor Ros Jones has said Brexit provides an ‘opportunity’ to become less reliant on foreign food imports along with backing British farmers and food producers.

The mayor, who campaigned to remain in the European Union in the 2016, said the country should’ve already left the political and economic partnership under the deal presented to MPs by Theresa May earlier this year.

She said: “We have the opportunity to become less reliant on foreign food imports, to back British farmers and food producers, and, in so doing, support the UK economy and reduce the carbon footprint of what we eat as a country.

“We have the opportunity to invest in clean and green industries, to become a world leader in carbon reduction technology and renewable energy, creating highly skilled and highly paid jobs.

“We have the opportunity to become less reliant on foreign food imports, to back British farmers and food producers, and, in so doing, support the UK economy and reduce the carbon footprint of what we eat as a country.

“We have the opportunity to invest in clean and green industries, to become a world leader in carbon reduction technology and renewable energy, creating highly skilled and highly paid jobs.

“I believe that the best way to celebrate Brexit and the dawning of a new era would be for the government to put an end to austerity and to put an end to the cuts facing our local services.

The comments come as the UK formally leaves the EU institutions at 11pm tonight but continues to trade on Single Market and Custom Union terms until December 31.

If no trade deal is agreed, the UK will face a 'No Deal' scenario and begin trading on World Trade Organisation (WTO) terms which will include tarrifs on goods imported from the EU.

The nation voted to leave the EU by 52 per cent to 48 per cent but in Doncaster, the ‘out’ vote totalled 69 per cent.