We can change!' EU leaders vow to make sure it is 'better loved' with 'less red tape' to stop other countries following the UK out as the nation prepares for Brexit

Ursula von der Leyen, Charles Michel and David Sassoli penned a joint article to mark the moment of Brexit

They praised the UK for its 'creativity' and spoke of their 'fondness' for Britain but claimed 'size matters'

They argued that Britain will no longer wield the influence it had as a member of the bloc on the world stage

Speaking in Brussels today Ms von der Leyen told the UK that 'strength does not lie in splendid isolation'

She said she wants to have 'best possible' relationship with UK but would 'never be as good as membership'

Meanwhile, Britain's MEPs today left European Parliament in Brussels for final time ahead of Brexit deadline

Brexit Party MEPs marched out of building carrying a banner emblazoned with the words 'Brexodus Express'

'We want them to be keener about the European project and so our concern is to stop using jargon and to cut down the red tape,' he told a Brussels press conference.

In a joint newspaper article they had spoke of their 'fondness for the United Kingdom' and praised Britons for their 'creativity, ingenuity, culture, and traditions'.

But they could not resist putting the boot in as the UK prepares to leave the EU at 11pm tonight.

The trio suggested that on its own Britain will not be able to influence global affairs in the way that it has been able to as a member of the bloc.

They then used the press conference to double down on the jibe as Ms von der Leyen said 'strength does not lie in splendid isolation'.

Their hostility was in contract to an olive branch held out by Donald Tusk to his departing UK 'friends'.

Ahead of the historic moment at 11pm, the former European Commission president used an online message to say: 'We will always be a community. And no Brexit will ever change that.'

The comments came as Britain's MEPs left the European Parliament for the final time.

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