The countdown to Britain's exit from the European Union begins today as the UK's ambassador to the economic bloc delivers Theresa May's letter to the European Council in Brussels, announcing the country's intention to initiate a two-year negotiation process for its departure.<br/><br/>The formal notification to the other 27 EU members of Britain's intention to invoke Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty was signed by May at her 10 Downing Street office last night.<br/><br/>May chaired a Cabinet meeting this morning and is set to make a statement in the House of Commons confirming that the countdown to Britain's exit from the EU has now begun.<br/><br/>Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said his party respected the decision to leave the EU and would hold the government to account every step of the way.<br/><br/>Following the notification process, the Great Repeal Bill will be published in Parliament tomorrow to cover the political break from the economic bloc.<br/><br/>The Brexit negotiator on the EU side, Michel Barnier, has said he would like to wrap up the process by September 30, 2018, leaving enough time for it to be ratified by the European Parliament.<br/><br/>The notification of Article 50 marks the first formal step in the direction of Brexit after a referendum in June 2016 in favour of Britain leaving the EU.