Brexit protesters take to streets of London
LONDON (AFP)-Crowds are set to march through London today in protest against Britain's vote to leave the EU, which has plunged the government into political turmoil and left the country deeply polarised.
Demonstrators plan to gather on Park Lane around 11:00 am (1000 GMT) before making their way towards the Houses of Parliament, in the second show of public anger this week over the shock results of the referendum.
“We can prevent Brexit by refusing to accept the referendum as the final say and take our finger off the self-destruct button,” said organiser Keiran MacDermott on the march's Facebook page.
“Let's not leave the next generation adrift... Let's march, let's protest, and let's stop Brexit.” Inside the halls of power, the favourites to succeed Prime Minister David Cameron in the ruling Conservative Party have been pushing for a delay in starting the process that will see Britain leave the 28-member European Union.
Contender Michael Gove said Friday he had “no expectation” that Article 50 -- the formal procedure for leaving the EU -- would be invoked this year, echoing similar comments from his frontrunner rival Theresa May.
But EU leaders have called for a swift divorce, fearful of the impact of Britain's uncertain future on economic growth and a potential domino effect in eurosceptic member states.
“The decision has been taken, it cannot be delayed and it cannot be cancelled,” said French President Francois Hollande Friday, on the sidelines of Battle of the Somme centenary ceremonies.
A speedy Brexit “would avert all the uncer- tainties and instability, especially in the economic and financial domains,” he said. “The faster it goes, the better it will be for them.” Last week's shock vote plunged financial markets into crisis, wiping trillions off equities around the world and sending the pound to its lowest point in more than three decades against the dollar.