Opposition to Brexit in the United Kingdom

Since the United Kingdom's vote to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, a number of demonstrations have taken place and organisations formed whose goal has been to oppose, reverse or otherwise impede that decision.

Marches

The March for Europe, July 2016

The first March for Europe took place in London on 2 July 2016, shortly after the Brexit referendum on 23 June 2016, and was attended by thousands of people.[1][2]

The March for Europe, September 2016

The second March for Europe took place in London on 3 September 2016 and was attended by thousands of people.[3] It was one of a number of events to take place on the day, including rallies in Edinburgh and Birmingham. Pro-Brexit demonstrators staged a counter-protest at one location along the marching route.[4]

Unite for Europe

The Unite for Europe march, which coincided with the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome, was held in London on 25 March 2017, and was attended by tens of thousands of people.[5]

The People's March for Europe

The People's March Ltd came into being in the summer of 2017, to help ensure that a march planned for 9 September 2017 in London went ahead. The event began with a march and was followed by speeches in Parliament Square.[6] The event was attended by thousands of people and was part of a series of protests dubbed "the Autumn of discontent".[7] Over 50,000 people took to the streets under the banner "Unite, Rethink, Reject Brexit" marching from Hyde Park to Parliament Square followed by a rally with speakers from the remain movement and from across the political spectrum and was covered on mainstream media.

StopBrexit Manchester

The StopBrexit Manchester march was held in All Saints Park, Manchester on 1 October 2017, to coincide with the Conservative Party conference. The event consisted of a rally followed by a march through central Manchester, and finishing with a street party organised by local pro-EU groups.[8] An estimated 30,000 people took part in this event.[9][10]

StopBrexit Leeds

The StopBrexit Leeds march was held on 24 March 2018 in Leeds. The march assembled at The Headrow in central Leeds and ended with a rally at The Headrow,[11][12] with thousands of people reported to have attended.[13][14] Leeds for Europe organised the march.[11][12]

People's Vote march

On 23 June 2018, the second anniversary of the EU referendum, People's Vote organised a march and protest from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square in Central London. Speakers included Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable, Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas, Labour's David Lammy and the Conservative's Anna Soubry. The organisers said that at least 100,000 people attended the march. A smaller pro-Brexit march was held in London on the same date.[15][16]

The People's Vote march was not designed to reverse the result of the referendum, but to hold a public vote on the final terms of the UK's EU exit deal.[17] The organisers said Brexit was "not a done deal" and Cable said "Brexit is not inevitable. Brexit can be stopped."[18] The Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn was criticised for not attending the march.[19]

Future Marches

The People’s Vote March For The Future

On 20 October 2018, there will be a march in London, jointly organised by People's Vote and the UK newspaper The Independent. [20] The aim of the march is to secure a vote on the final Brexit deal. The march organisers state: "Whether you voted leave or remain, nobody voted to make this country worse off, to harm jobs, to damage the NHS, to affect the future of millions of young people, or to make this country more divided. The more the shape of the final Brexit deal becomes clear, the more it is clear that it will do nothing to improve social justice, reduce inequality, increase our standard of living, or create a better future for future generations."[21] A number of celebrities, including Delia Smith, Ian McEwan, Sir Patrick Stewart and Charlie Mullins, have stated that they will fund coach travel to London, to enable those wishing to attend the march to do so. [22][23]

Joint campaigning

Members of national groups, including Britain for Europe, European Movement UK, Open Britain, conduct joint campaigns in various towns and cities of the UK.[24][25]

In March 2018 six national groups moved into a shared Remain office in Millbank Tower, London, in order to pool their resources for campaigning.[26][27]

People's Vote

Launched in April 2018, People's Vote is a UK campaign group calling for a public vote on the final Brexit deal. The campaign comprises nine anti-Brexit groups,[28] including eight operating from Millbank Tower. The groups include the five listed below, plus For our Future's Sake (FFS), InFacts, and Open Britain, along with Wales for Europe working from Wales.[29][30]

Britain for Europe

Britain for Europe was established shortly after the EU referendum. It is an independent pressure group and umbrella organisation for grassroot activists from around the UK.[31] It lobbies in favour of the UK remaining in the EU.[32][33] The group organises marches, conferences, meetings, and national campaigns. It is a founding member of People's Vote.[34]

The Chair of Britain for Europe is Tom Brufatto.[35] Britain for Europe is organised from the grassroots membership.[34]

The organisation has about sixty member affiliated groups including:[36]

In January 2017, the affiliate group Leeds for Europe formed. It campaigns against Brexit in the city of Leeds and elsewhere in West Yorkshire[42]. Leeds for Europe is also affiliated to the European Movement UK.

European Movement UK

European Movement UK is an organisation which campaigns in support of greater European integration and for reform of the EU. It is part of the European Movement International, which pushes for a "democratic, federal, enlarged European Union".[43]

Formed in 1949, it campaigned for Britain to remain in the EU in the 2016 referendum and continues to oppose Brexit in collaboration with other major pro-European campaign groups such as Open Britain and Britain for Europe.[43]

Healthier IN the EU

Healthier IN the EU was co-founded in 2016 by Mike Galsworthy, Rob Davidson, [44] and Martin McKee. Its advisory board included former Chief Executive of the NHS in England Nigel Crisp, former Minister for Health John Bowis, former Chief Medical Officer for Scotland Harry Burns, former President of the Royal College of Physicians Ian Gilmore, President of Royal College of Psychiatrists Simon Wessely, and the editor of The Lancet, Richard Horton. Healthier in the EU is a grassroots organization making the health case for continued EU membership.[45][46]

Shortly before the 2017 general election, Healthier IN the EU and Vote Leave Watch organized an open letter calling on the Conservative Party to commit to spending an extra £350m per week on the NHS after Brexit. The letter was signed by some of the UK's leading medical professionals.[47] The amount of £350m per week corresponded to the savings attributable to Brexit claimed by the Vote Leave campaign. Following the publication of the letter, foreign secretary Boris Johnson received negative press coverage for falsely claiming that the pledge was already in the Conservative Party election manifesto.[48]

Healthier IN the EU is a founding member of People's Vote.[27][49]

Our Future Our Choice

Our Future Our Choice (OFOC) was incorporated as a company on 19 February 2018[50] and is aimed towards young adults.[51][52] Its four founding members are Femi Oluwole (spokesman), Calum Millbank-Murphy (spokesman), Lara Spirit (co-president) and Will Dry (co-president).[53][54]

Our Future Our Choice is a founding member of People's Vote.[49]

Scientists for EU

Scientists for EU is a pro-EU research advocacy group. It was co-founded by scientists Mike Galsworthy and Rob Davison on 8 May 2015, the day after the UK general election 2015.[55][56] Its advisory board included high-profile UK scientists, including former EU chief scientific advisor Anne Glover, and MPs from different political parties.[56] Galsworthy articulated two concerns that Scientists for EU aimed to address: "first, a lack of clarity and cohesion within the community on EU benefits and Brexit risks; and, secondly, a lack of public understanding on the UK/EU relationship in science."[57]

Following the referendum, hundreds of scientists contacted Scientists for EU voicing concerns about the future of scientific research in the UK after Brexit, many saying they planned to leave the UK; for some, xenophobia was a significant concern.[58][59] Programme Director Galsworthy concluded, "It is clear that the UK has overnight become less attractive as a place to do science." [58]

Scientists for EU has continued to publicize the benefits of EU membership for Britain and the negative consequences of Brexit for science and healthcare, including uncertainty over immigration and funding, and the loss of influence over EU regulations and policy.[60]

In February 2018 George Soros's Open Society Foundations donated £500,000 to a number of groups opposing Brexit including £35,000 to Scientists for EU.[61][62]

Scientists for EU is a founding member of People's Vote.[49]

Other events

Postcards from the 48%

David Wilkinson's full-length film Postcards from the 48% (2018) opened on 23 June 2018 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and went on general release on 6 July 2018.[63][64] The documentary was made by, and featured, members of the 48% of voters who chose Remain in the referendum.[65] A reviewer for The Times wrote that it "gives voice to the fears and the hopes of the nation's discontented remainers".[66]

Last Night of the Proms

Anti-Brexit campaigners gave away EU flags to audience members at the last night of The Proms in 2016[67] and 2017.[68]

No. 10 Vigil boat trips

The No. 10 Vigil campaign group, which holds regular demonstrations outside Downing Street, organized a boat trip on the Thames on 19 August 2017.[69] A subsequent boat trip occurred on 24 July 2018.[70]

References

  1. ↑ Buckley, Martha (2 July 2016). "Thousands at 'March for Europe' Brexit protest". BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  2. ↑ Vulliamy, Ed (2 July 2016). "'We are the 48%': tens of thousands march in London for Europe". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  3. ↑ Press Association (3 September 2016). "March for Europe: pro-EU campaigners join demos around UK". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  4. ↑ Staff writer (3 September 2016). "Brexit protest: March for Europe rallies held across UK". BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Farand, Chloe; Withnall, Adam (25 March 2017). "Unite for Europe: Tens of thousands take to streets to demand Brexit be reversed". The Independent. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  6. ↑ "The Event & Speakers 9.9.2017". peoplesmarch4eu.org. The People's March for Europe. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  7. ↑ Chaplain, Chloe (9 September 2017). "People's March for EU: Thousands of anti-Brexit activists descend on central London in 'Autumn of Discontent' protest". London Evening Standard. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "#StopBrexit Manchester March". stopbrexitmarch.com. Stop Brexit March. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  9. ↑ Johnson, Helen; Williams, Jennifer; Coyle, Simon; Day, Rebecca (1 October 2017). "Tens of thousands take part in Stop Brexit and anti-austerity protests in city centre - as it happened". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  10. ↑ Broome, Cameron (1 October 2017). "Thousands attend 'Stop Brexit' Manchester march". The Mancunion. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  11. 1 2 "The #GreatNorthernMarch in Leeds". stopbrexitmarch.com. #StopBrexit. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  12. 1 2 "The Great Northern March - 24/03/18". leedsforeurope.org. Leeds for Europe. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  13. ↑ Oscroft, Katie (24 March 2018). "Thousands join one of biggest anti-Brexit rallies in north". ITV News. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  14. ↑ Staff writer (24 March 2018). "Thousands march in Leeds anti-Brexit protest". BBC News. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  15. ↑ "Brexit: Marchers demand final Brexit deal vote". BBC News. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  16. ↑ "'At least 100,000' march for vote on final Brexit deal". Sky News. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 18 September 2018.
  17. ↑ "Brexit march: Tens of thousands take to London streets to demand new referendum on terms of EU departure". The Independent. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  18. ↑ "Tens of thousands anti-Brexit protesters march in London, demand new vote". CBS News. 23 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  19. ↑ "Labour frontbenchers defend no show at anti-Brexit march". BBC News. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  20. ↑ "People's Vote and The Independent March for the Future". People's Vote UK. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  21. ↑ https://www.peoples-vote.uk/march
  22. ↑ "People's Vote march: full list of celebrities funding coaches for people attending Brexit protest". 8 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  23. ↑ "Stars line up to pay for coach travel to Brexit 'people's vote' march". 6 October 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  24. ↑ Read, Jonathon (5 April 2018). "Events: How you can help the grassroots anti-Brexit campaigns". The New European. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  25. ↑ "Action Days". britainforeurope.org. Britain for Europe. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  26. ↑ Forrester, Kate (12 March 2018). "Six pro-EU groups move to new shared office for Brexit fightback". HuffPost UK. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  27. 1 2 Mason, Rowena (1 February 2018). "Groups opposed to hard Brexit join forces under Chuka Umunna". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  28. ↑ Castle, Stephen (21 April 2018). "Could the U.K. Vote Again on Brexit? The Prospects Are Rising". Retrieved 21 April 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
  29. ↑ Porritt, Richard (15 April 2018). "Campaign launched to push for People's Vote". The New European. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  30. ↑ Staff writer (15 April 2018). "Launch of the new national People's Vote campaign". open-britain.co.uk. Open Britain. Retrieved 21 April 2018.
  31. 1 2 "Home page". bristolforeurope.com. Bristol for Europe. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  32. ↑ "Home page". britainforeurope.org. Britain for Europe. 26 February 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  33. 1 2 Harris, John (10 January 2017). "Pro-EU campaign groups join forces to fight against hard Brexit". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  34. 1 2 Skeet, Tim (23 January 2017). "How I went from soggy Tory to leader of the hard Brexit resistance". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
  35. ↑ Hobhouse, Wera (29 January 2018). "Catherine Bearder MEP hosts lecture on Brexit strategy in Bath". Office of Wera Hobhouse. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  36. 1 2 3 4 "Our groups - Britain for Europe". Britain for Europe. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  37. ↑ Staff writer (21 February 2018). "Is Brexit really going to cost £2 billion a week?". Channel 4 News. FactCheck. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  38. ↑ Adams, Charley (4 April 2018). "Pro EU march attracts over 2,500 campaigners". Kingsbridge & Salcombe Gazette. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  39. ↑ Ferguson, Sam (27 January 2018). "Jacob Rees-Mogg heckled by anti-Brexit protesters from Bath for Europe". Bath Chronicle. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  40. ↑ "Campaign for Europe in Berkshire". berkshireforeurope.eu. Berkshire for Europe. Retrieved 20 September 2018.
  41. ↑ Staff writer (18 December 2017). "Hundreds in Leeds join 'Brexit Resistance' movement". Yorkshire Evening Post. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  42. ↑ Burn, Chris (18 December 2017). "Yorkshire's Brexit resistance: Why campaigners in Leeds, York and Sheffield think EU departure can be stopped". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
  43. 1 2 "About the European Movement". europeanmovement.co.uk. European Movement. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  44. ↑ Lynskey, Dorian (28 April 2018). "'It's not a done deal': inside the battle to stop Brexit". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  45. ↑ "About Us". Healthier IN the EU. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  46. ↑ Marsh, Stefanie (6 October 2017). "A Harsh Wake-Up Call for Some Brexiteers". The Atlantic. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  47. ↑ Peck, Tom (17 May 2017). "Conservatives must make manifesto commitment of £350m a week for the NHS, say doctors". The Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  48. ↑ Cowburn, Ashley (21 May 2017). "Boris Johnson falsely claims £350m for NHS after Brexit pledge is in the Conservative manifesto". The Independent. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  49. 1 2 3 Fletcher, Martin (30 May 2018). "Inside the headquarters of Britain's anti-Brexit brigade". New Statesman. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  50. ↑ "OUR FUTURE, OUR CHOICE! OFOC! LTD". companycheck.co.uk. Company Check. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  51. ↑ Embury, Tom (14 February 2018). "'Our Future, Our Choice': Campaign launched for young people who want Brexit stopped". The Independent. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  52. ↑ Morley, Nicole (16 February 2018). "Campaign launched for young people who want to stop Brexit ruining their future". Metro. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  53. ↑ Staff writer (20 June 2018). "Grassroots or 'astroturf'? Who's really behind the anti-Brexit group 'Our Future Our Choice'". RT. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  54. ↑ "About us". ofoc.co.uk. Our Future Our Choice. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  55. ↑ "Who we are". scientistsforeu.uk. Scientists for EU. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  56. 1 2 Stone, Emma (13 October 2015). "Scientists launch campaign to oppose UK exit from EU". Chemistry World. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  57. ↑ Mike Galsworthy (et al), Programme Director, Scientists for EU (1 March 2016). "The Relationship between EU Membership and the Effectiveness of UK Science: Oral Evidence Session". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). United Kingdom: House of Lords, Select Committee on Science and Technology. Video.
  58. 1 2 Cookson, Clive (9 August 2016). "Brexit Briefing: Scientists feel the effect". The Financial Times. Retrieved 1 August 2018.
  59. ↑ Citations:
    • Woolcock, Nicola (15 October 2016). "Brain drain has begun . . . and it's costing millions, academics warn". The Times. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
    • Johnston, Ian (12 July 2016). "Racist, xenophobic and anti-intellectual: Academics threaten to leave Brexit Britain". The Independent. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
    • Hutton, Will (16 July 2016). "Why Brexit may be a deadly experiment for science". Retrieved 31 July 2018.
    • Gross, Michael (2016). "Angry voters may turn back the clocks". Current Biology. 26 (15): R689–R692. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.07.056. ISSN 0960-9822.
    • Kinstler, Linda (5 November 2016). "Brexit Is Jeopardizing Britain's Intellectual Legacy". The Atlantic. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
  60. ↑ Citations:
    • Foster, Peter (2 September 2016). "Why the Remainers are still clinging on to dreams of overturning Brexit...and how they hope to do it". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
    • Peplow, Mark (29 November 2016). "Brexit uncertainty disrupting EU-UK research". Nature. Index. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
    • Subbaraman, Nidhi (24 June 2016). "These Young Scientists Are Afraid They'll Have To Leave The UK Because Of Brexit". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
    • Chivers, Tom (6 September 2017). "Scientists Say The UK's New Paper On Science After Brexit Doesn't Address The Real Issues". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
    • Offord, Catherine (7 September 2017). "U.K. Lays Out Its Vision for Post-Brexit Research". The Scientist. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
    • Vesper, Inga (2017). "United Kingdom sees dip in European research applications after Brexit vote". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2017.22624. ISSN 1476-4687.
    • "UK scientists could leave EU projects". Horizon 2020 Projects. 12 October 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
  61. ↑ "George Soros donates £400,000 to anti-Brexit campaign". Financial Times. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018. (Subscription required (help)).
  62. ↑ Elgot, Jessica (11 Feb 2018). "George Soros raises donation to anti-Brexit Best for Britain group". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2018.
  63. ↑ "Postcards from the 48%". Official Site. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  64. ↑ Postcards from the 48% (2018) on IMDb
  65. ↑ "Postcards from the 48%". British Film Institute. 21 May 2018. Retrieved 7 August 2018.
  66. ↑ Maher, Kevin (6 July 2018). "Film review: Postcards from the 48%". The Times. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
  67. ↑ McKee, Ruth (10 September 2016). "Campaigners hand out thousands of EU flags for Last Night of the Proms". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  68. ↑ Booth, Robert (10 Sep 2017). "EU flags at Last Night of the Proms anger Farage". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  69. ↑ "Anti-Brexit campaigners from the No 10 Vigil sail on a boat bedecked with EU flags up the River Thames in London, on 19 August 2017". The Guardian. 19 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
  70. ↑ Drake, Matt (24 July 2018). "Remoaners planning boat party to protest Brexit today SLASH ticket prices after poor sales". The Daily Express. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
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