Half a million march for new Brexit vote
london — Tens of thousands of protesters marched through central London on Saturday to demand a new referendum on Britain’s departure from the European Union.
Organisers want the public to have a final say on the government’s Brexit deal with the EU, arguing that new facts have come to light about the costs and complexity of Britain’s exit from the bloc since Britons voted to leave in 2016. Some 150 buses ferried activists from across the country to the British capital, and organisers estimated that nearly 670,000 took part. “What’s clear is that the only options on the table now from the prime minister are a bad Brexit deal, or no deal whatsoever,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan. —
london — Tens of thousands of supporters of the European Union began marching through London on Saturday as part of what organisers say will be the largest ever demonstration to demand that the British government holds a public vote on the terms of Brexit.
The protesters waved the blue and gold flag of the EU and held up “Bollocks to Brexit” banners under sunny skies to call for another referendum on the eventual deal on how Britain will leave the world’s biggest trading bloc.
The march comes as pressure builds on Prime Minister Theresa May over her negotiating strategy with just over five months until Britain is due to leave. There is, so far, no divorce deal and some rebels in May’s Conservative Party have threatened to vote down a deal if she clinches one.
James McGrory, one of the organisers of the march, said the public should have the chance to change their minds because the decision will impact their lives for generations. “People think the Brexit
London mayor Sadiq Khan, centre, with protesters in the People’s Vote march for the Future, in London. —
negotiations are a total mess, they have no faith in the government to deliver the promises that were made, partly because they cannot be delivered,” he said.
At the march, demonstrators carried placards saying “Brexit is pants” and “time for an EU turn.” Members of parliament from all the main political parties are set to join the demonstration. —