EU-turn

First National Rejoin March to pass Downing St on Saturday as political storm rages
Protest will call for PM to show ‘courage’ in U-turning on EU similar to U-turns on mini-Budget catastrophe and deliver warning about Brexit impact on spiralling cost of living crisis
Speakers and marchers travelling from throughout the country to fight ‘biggest act of self-harm’ against the nation

Marchers demand Euro-Courage from PM in huge protest

The Government must make a courageous U-turn on EU membership to help bring Britain back from the brink, say organisers of a huge Rejoin march taking place this weekend (Saturday 22 October).

The National Rejoin March, which will end in London’s Parliament Square, will deliver a ‘clear and loud’ message to the Prime Minister: Brexit has failed, it’s adding substantially to the cost of living crisis, and Britain must rejoin the EU as soon as is practical.

After an autumn of political chaos, in which the Truss Government has backtracked on Kwasi Kwarteng’s disastrous mini-Budget to stave off financial catastrophe, marchers are calling for one more U-turn to help the country – a commitment to rejoin the EU.

Joint march organiser Peter Corr, an HGV driver from Derby, said:

“Ministers have been talking of the courage it took for the PM to sack her Chancellor and U-turn on the foundations of her economic policies.
“We’ve heard the new Chancellor say that, when circumstances change, it’s right for policy to change. There is no shame in U-turning when you’ve made a catastrophic decision – particularly when the future of the entire country is at stake.
“With that in mind, now is the time for politicians of all colours to come clean over Brexit, admit that it continues to be immensely damaging to the UK and commit to a future in which the UK rejoins the EU. It’s truly the patriotic thing to do.”

This is the first large-scale Rejoin march, and its leaders say they want ‘Rejoin’ to become mainstream as soon as possible, with Britain teetering on the brink of ongoing financial calamity because of Brexit.

It is being supported by dozens of pro-EU groups, including North East for Europe, Leeds for Europe, Manchester for Europe, London for Europe, Stay European, Sixteen Million Rising radio, as well as the national Grassroots for Europe network and overseas organisations including Bremain in Spain.

Mr Corr added:

“Every person I talk to is so worried about the cost-of-living crisis and inflation. We must pay attention to experts like Former Bank of England policymaker Adam Posen, who say s 80 per cent of the reason the UK has the highest inflation of any G7 country is due to the impact of Brexit on immigration and the labour market.
“Yes, we have left the EU – but we have got over that and now we simply must start a conversation about rejoining the EU.”

The march will take protesters past the Downing Street entrance before senior political figures and grassroots leaders address crowds in Parliament Square.

Campaigners sending out a pro-EU message to the new PM will include Femi Oluwole, Mike Galsworthy of Scientists for EU, ‘EU Supergirl’ Madeleina Kay and ‘Mr Stop Brexit’ Steve Bray, with former Green MEP Molly Scott Cato and German MEP Terry Reintke.

Co-organiser Richard Wilson, from Leeds, highlighted Brexit’s impact on the NHS, saying: ‘There is a chronic shortage of doctors, nurses and care workers – we are all going to suffer from permanently understaffed hospitals and longer waiting times.

‘No one voted for this, but it’s the new reality in so many sectors of the economy, from logistics to farming, fishing to manufacturing, and research to hospitality.

‘Brexit is costing the UK more than the Covid pandemic, and the adverse effects and costs will keep mounting for decades to come – unless and until we change course.’

Mr Corr added: ‘Lost opportunities for our young people, higher travel costs, higher food costs, companies relocating to the EU, queues at every travel point, the risk of a trade war with the EU – the list goes on and on. We were promised so many upsides but I can see only downsides, and many of these are being deliberately hidden from us by this Government.

‘The conversation on rejoining needs to start now and – in the spirit of the Government’s new-found willingness to admit mistakes – we must not shy away from admitting Brexit was the single biggest act of self-harm to the nation.

‘It’s time to take action and stand up to the lies that were peddled for the Brexit vote. We want our European star back and more opportunities for the nation’s young people.’

Useful links:

Those planning to attend march should check the National Rejoin March website www.marchforrejoin.co.uk for latest information.

Commencing at 12 noon in Park Lane, the march will follow the traditional route along Green Park, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Whitehall before arriving in Parliament Square around 2.30pm.

The full list of confirmed speakers currently: Terry Reintke MEP, Femi Oluwole, Siobhan Benita, Madeleina Kay, Steve Bray, Sarah Ludford, Molly Scott Cato, Sue Wilson MBE, Mike Cashman, Lord Andrew Adonis, Julie Ward and Nicola Tipton reading her poem ‘I want my country back’.