Angry over Brexit delay, 'Leave' supporters march through London

By Andrew MacAskill and Andrew R.C. Marshall

 

Pro-Brexit protesters take part in the March to Leave demonstration, in London, Britain March 29, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Thousands of people opposed to Britain delaying its departure from the European Union marched through central London on Friday as lawmakers in parliament strongly rejected Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal for a third time.

 

On the day that Britain was originally meant to be leaving the EU, large groups gathered in bright sunshine outside parliament waving Union Jack flags and chanting, "Out means out" - as the Queen song Bohemian Rhapsody was played on a loudspeaker with its famous lyric "Mamma Mia, let me go".

 

Friday's protest, a week after hundreds of thousands marched through calling for a second referendum, shows how divided Britain is over Europe three years after voting to leave the EU.

 

As the result of the vote in parliament filtered through to the crowds on Parliament Square, scattered cheers went up as some protesters viewed it as boosting the chance of a rapid departure from the bloc.

 

The mood of protesters ranged from satisfaction to despair.

 

"Excellent. We're now on track for a 'no deal,'" said saleswoman Louise Hemple, 52, standing in the shadow of Winston Churchill's statue outside parliament. "And that will mean we'll have complete control which is what we Brexiteers voted for."

 

Hemple said she would continue to protest until Britain had left the EU because she did not trust lawmakers to do it.

"They're in their bubble in there. It's all about their vote, not our vote," she said, referring to the 17.4 million people who voted Leave in Britain's 2016 referendum.

 

Nigel Farage - the politician widely thought to have done the most to spook Britain’s then government into agreeing to hold the referendum - addressed the crowd at the end of a 270-mile (435 km), two-week march from Sunderland, northeast England, to London.

 

"What should have been a celebration is in fact a day of betrayal," Farage told Reuters. "There will be a lot of anger. I certainly have never known a time in my life when people have said such rude things about the political class, about the government."

 

BREXIT BETRAYED?

 

Earlier, about 1,000 Leave supporters had gathered at Bishop’s Park on the bank of the River Thames to march the four miles to parliament.

 

Among them was David Malindine, 63, a retired teacher.

 

"We need to remind the country that the majority of people voted 'Leave,'" said Malindine. "This was the day we were supposed to leave, and Brexit has been betrayed."

 

 

Many people said their central grievance was a political elite that doesn't represent them.

 

One placard said: "Politicians worth their weight in cow dung." Another said: "Parliament? A hive of scum and villainy."

 

Labour Party politician Lisa Nandy - who opposed May's deal - said that she and her staff were called traitors by protesters as she tried to enter parliament to vote.

 

Far-right Leave activists including Tommy Robinson spoke at a separate meeting nearby.

 

Robinson led the crowd in singing Rule Britannia. Propped on the stage beside him was a coffin with May's face on it and the word "democracy".

 

Some protesters dragged dummies wearing masks of May and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn through the streets, leaving them outside the gates to May's Downing Street residence.

 

Police said they were prepared for potential trouble, although the atmosphere was festive for most of the day with people drinking beer and eating sandwiches.

 

Later in the evening there was a small stand-off between Robinson supporters and police, as around 100 supporters protested outside May's office shouting "We want Brexit! We want Brexit!".

 

London's police force said it had arrested five protesters as of 2100 GMT.

 

Many of the day's marchers predicted the political elite will be punished if it fails to fully sever ties with Brussels.

 

Andy Allan, 58, who was carrying a red and white St George's flag, predicted that there could be unrest modelled on the "yellow vest" protests that have rocked Paris for the last few months if Britain fails to leave the EU.

 

"It is absolutely disgusting what is happening," he said. "Be warned - this is just the beginning of a mass uprising if we get betrayed by the politicians."

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-30

Somewhat ls than those in the "stay" marching protest camp.

That impossible vote is not that far away now.

We are not going anywhere soon and we have spent @4.5bn so far to prove it and the poor will pick up the tab and the rich will continue to be richer the Caymans have won either way in this monumental disaster ????

1 hour ago, rooster59 said:

Far-right Leave activists including Tommy Robinson spoke at a separate meeting nearby.

Typical biased Reuters. What an earth has this guy got to do with the Brexit march. Nothing. So Reuters continue to try and link far right people with brexiteers and show just how biased they are as a news organisation when it comes to the EU and referendum.

They are as bad as the independent and guardian newspapers.

Edited March 30, 20197 yr by Laughing Gravy

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

That impossible vote is not that far away now.

What impossible vote? There are no votes to be had, no elections. It's all gone. It's dead. Votes don't count anymore. Any attempt at elections will be met with chaos as the losers cry out "They didn't understand what they voted for", "we need a second/3rd/4th election". Now we are in mob rule.

 

 This insane overturning of a democratically elected Brexit rang the death knell for England. 

6 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Far-right Leave activists including Tommy Robinson spoke at a separate meeting nearby.

 

Typical biased Reuters. What an earth has this guy got to do with the Brexit march. Nothing. So Reuters continue to try and link far right people with brexiteers and show just how biased they are as a news organisation when it comes to the EU and referendum.

They are as bad as the independent and guardian newspapers.

Think its because he has some Pakistani neighbours who had previously claimed asylum in Germany ????

The dinosaur remmnents who are still delusionally thinking the British Empire will return are in their death throes. Next week will see a vote in parliament given 2 choices I suspect.  Leave without any agreement ( already rejected previously) or hold another referendum.   Of course the mainly racist retards who still clamor that the past will return will hope that their MP votes for the former again.   However given that choice no doubt it will go the way of another referendum. After all the sick government of Teresa May kept giving themselves repeated opportunities of another vote so what's good for the goose is good for the Gander.

 

But generally the future is bright for the more sensible , socially conscious UK voter once a second referendum goes ahead, because simply put,  those racists and other loonies that voted to leave the EU pale into insignificance compared to the racists and loonies who voted for Trump and people elsewhere can  look to see exactly where it has got them !  The advantage is that the UK electorate will get another chance, this time being fully informed of the stupidity of leaving the EU, rather than the lies which were peddled back in 2016.

‘Thousands’ they say.

 

And then, ‘Earlier, about 1,000 Leave supporters had gathered at Bishop’s Park on the bank of the River Thames to march the four miles to parliament.’

 

’Project Fear’ was correct, the first day of Brexit and inflation is rampant.

5 minutes ago, geoffbezoz said:

The dinosaur remmnents who are still delusionally thinking the British Empire will return are in their death throes. Next week will see a vote in parliament given 2 choices I suspect.  Leave without any agreement ( already rejected previously) or hold another referendum.   Of course the mainly racist retards who still clamor that the past will return will hope that their MP votes for the former again.   However given that choice no doubt it will go the way of another referendum. After all the sick government of Teresa May kept giving themselves repeated opportunities of another vote so what's good for the goose is good for the Gander.

 

But generally the future is bright for the more sensible , socially conscious UK voter once a second referendum goes ahead, because simply put,  those racists and other loonies that voted to leave the EU pale into insignificance compared to the racists and loonies who voted for Trump and people elsewhere can  look to see exactly where it has got them !  The advantage is that the UK electorate will get another chance, this time being fully informed of the stupidity of leaving the EU, rather than the lies which were peddled back in 2016.

Congratulations in showing a reamainer mentality. Leavers are all racists and loonies. Nothing like a sweeping generalisatiion. Welcome you will have lots of friends on here supporting you. 

 

The UK electorate will get another chance (The EU will do anything they can to reverse a vote) to get the right result, that the EU want. Even if you are right, what happens if you lose again. Mass suicides because you didn't get your own way.

 

Look at it from another point of view (which maybe difficult for you)  the UK electorate can now get another chance, to see how manipulative the EU are and how the politicians have done their best, to ignore the first result. Then people can see just how stupid it is staying in the EU. I almost wish it would happen, so we can have 20 Nigel Farages in the EU Parliament every week, telling the EU the truth.

 

As Boris, Gove, and Mogg the main instigators of Brexit all now voted for May's deal this must be the better deal out than in they all championed before the vote as they have all now decided to stop tap dancing at the 13th hour there can only be one outcome revoke and resign????  

39 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

What impossible vote? There are no votes to be had, no elections. It's all gone. It's dead. Votes don't count anymore. Any attempt at elections will be met with chaos as the losers cry out "They didn't understand what they voted for", "we need a second/3rd/4th election". Now we are in mob rule.

This insane overturning of a democratically elected Brexit rang the death knell for England. 

The ball is still in play, so please save us from your attack of the vapours.

2 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

As Boris, Gove, and Mogg the main instigators of Brexit all now voted for May's deal this must be the better deal out than in they all championed before the vote as they have all now decided to stop tap dancing at the 13th hour there can only be one outcome revoke and resign????  

Well I wouldn't be too sure about that. More likely a longer extension. For a revoke and/or new referendum, either likely to be preceded by a general election. But until then need to wait for what happens on Monday. Chickens yet to be counted.

10 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

As Boris, Gove, and Mogg the main instigators of Brexit all now voted for May's deal this must be the better deal out than in they all championed before the vote as they have all now decided to stop tap dancing at the 13th hour there can only be one outcome revoke and resign????  

Have you ever considered they voted knowing it wouldn't get through Parliament and it will go for a no deal. or even better May will resign or call a GE then have a brexiteer as the new PM. The EU and remainers would be bricking it, at that thought.????

3 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Well I wouldn't be too sure about that. More likely a longer extension. For a revoke and/or new referendum, either likely to be preceded by a general election. But until then need to wait for what happens on Monday. Chickens yet to be counted.

Being sure of anything in this debacle is not like saying a general won an election when its clear he didn't ????  

1 hour ago, TopDeadSenter said:

What impossible vote? There are no votes to be had, no elections. It's all gone. It's dead. Votes don't count anymore. Any attempt at elections will be met with chaos as the losers cry out "They didn't understand what they voted for", "we need a second/3rd/4th election". Now we are in mob rule.

 

 This insane overturning of a democratically elected Brexit rang the death knell for England. 

Keep that gem in mind for the next time we hear Brexiteers complaining about being referred to as ‘little Englanders’!

5 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

Have you ever considered they voted knowing it wouldn't get through Parliament and it will go for a no deal. or even better May will resign or call a GE then have a brexiteer as the new PM. The EU and remainers would be bricking it, at that thought.????

You might consider Corbunkel as PM and the no deal has already been voted out  ????

1 minute ago, sammieuk1 said:

You might consider Corbunkel as PM and the no deal has already been voted out  ????

 

Just because they voted out doesn't mean it couldn't happen. As for Jezza he has as much chance as TM staying as the leadre of the conservatives,.

 

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/britain-faces-election-risk-as-mps-crush-brexit-deal-kqdtbws5g

 

"Members of the government were deeply divided last night. A Brexit-supporting cabinet minister urged Mrs May to go for no-deal, while another thought a general election was a more likely option. “No Brexit group in the Commons has the numbers,” the senior minister said. “You have to have another election. That’s our only option, even though it would probably be curtains.”

 

24 minutes ago, sammieuk1 said:

As Boris, Gove, and Mogg the main instigators of Brexit all now voted for May's deal this must be the better deal out than in they all championed before

These turncoats only voted 'aye' so their names would go into the hat

53 minutes ago, geoffbezoz said:

The dinosaur remmnents who are still delusionally thinking the British Empire will return are in their death throes. Next week will see a vote in parliament given 2 choices I suspect.  Leave without any agreement ( already rejected previously) or hold another referendum.   Of course the mainly racist retards who still clamor that the past will return will hope that their MP votes for the former again.   However given that choice no doubt it will go the way of another referendum. After all the sick government of Teresa May kept giving themselves repeated opportunities of another vote so what's good for the goose is good for the Gander.

 

But generally the future is bright for the more sensible , socially conscious UK voter once a second referendum goes ahead, because simply put,  those racists and other loonies that voted to leave the EU pale into insignificance compared to the racists and loonies who voted for Trump and people elsewhere can  look to see exactly where it has got them !  The advantage is that the UK electorate will get another chance, this time being fully informed of the stupidity of leaving the EU, rather than the lies which were peddled back in 2016.

.....and a 2nd referendum will return the same result and the Government will continue to find excuses not to get on with it.

2 minutes ago, bert bloggs said:

so no evidence , thought not .

 No evidence of any Brexit.

36 minutes ago, Laughing Gravy said:

The UK electorate will get another chance (The EU will do anything they can to reverse a vote) to get the right result, that the EU want. Even if you are right, what happens if you lose again. Mass suicides because you didn't get your own way.

 

And what can the EU do to reverse the Brexit vote??? Correct, nothing.

Since the UK triggered article 50 you are on your way out. The only one blocking the exit is the UK itself.

Yes, leaving without a deal will be painful. Maybe should have thought of that before triggering art. 50.

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Well right now you don’t have a Brexit.

And you have no proof that we are all racists,but we will have Brexit ,even if it takes a little longer????

1 minute ago, Topdoc said:

Brexiteers need to embrace a bit of reality.

 

They bought a lie and set off on a journey without a map, without a plan, any idea where they were being lead or who was leading them there.

5 minutes ago, SheungWan said:

Well I wouldn't be too sure about that. More likely a longer extension. For a revoke and/or new referendum, either likely to be preceded by a general election. But until then need to wait for what happens on Monday. Chickens yet to be counted.

You probably know better than most on here that 'no deal' is very much still on the table, maybe our weak MPs don't want it, but some seem to forget that the EU have a say in this.

Many of the EU27 are getting very tired of the UKs inability to come up with anything and a news reporter from the BBC said last night they (EU27) think it's "time to lance the boil"

Parliament cannot agree on anything, Mays deal as bad as it is, is still the only option on the table, making no deal the default option, unless parliament changes the law. If we can't offer the EU anything of substance deal wise by the 12 of April they may not even consider another extension.

So I say to all the remainers on here, I would wait a little longer before you start gloating, or you could end up with a lot of egg to remove from your faces.

Labour have become the party of remain, apart from Jeremy Corbyn (the reluctant red) of course, I am sure many of their voters will remember this at the next general election. 

Dominic Grieve had to meet his local Conservative Party last night with a view to his de-selection the BBC seems to think, so not all bad.

 

 

7 minutes ago, whatsupdoc said:

And what can the EU do to reverse the Brexit vote??? Correct, nothing.

Since the UK triggered article 50 you are on your way out. The only one blocking the exit is the UK itself.

Yes, leaving without a deal will be painful. Maybe should have thought of that before triggering art. 50.

That is the most reassuring post of the day, thank you.

2 minutes ago, vogie said:

That is the most reassuring post of the day, thank you.

Brexiteer has lapse of memory and completely forgets the ‘Leave with No Deal’ was a necessary threat to have in the UK’s negotiating bag in order to get a deal with the EU.

 

Now it turns out ‘No Deal’ is all that’s left and Brexiteer is unable to see the problem with it.

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Brexiteers need to embrace a bit of reality.

 

They bought a lie and set off on a journey without a map, without a plan, any idea where they were being lead or who was leading them there.

Unlike Remainers who do have a plan ,that is to thwart the will of the people who voted leave ,ie the majority .

4 minutes ago, vogie said:

You probably know better than most on here that 'no deal' is very much still on the table, maybe our weak MPs don't want it, but some seem to forget that the EU have a say in this.

Many of the EU27 are getting very tired of the UKs inability to come up with anything and a news reporter from the BBC said last night they (EU27) think it's "time to lance the boil"

Parliament cannot agree on anything, Mays deal as bad as it is, is still the only option on the table, making no deal the default option, unless parliament changes the law. If we can't offer the EU anything of substance deal wise by the 12 of April they may not even consider another extension.

So I say to all the remainers on here, I would wait a little longer before you start gloating, or you could end up with a lot of egg to remove from your faces.

Labour have become the party of remain, apart from Jeremy Corbyn (the reluctant red) of course, I am sure many of their voters will remember this at the next general election. 

Dominic Grieve had to meet his local Conservative Party last night with a view to his de-selection the BBC seems to think, so not all bad.

 

 

For all the leavers; a no-deal might well be a Pyrrhic victory.

In my opinion it would not take long before the UK returns to the EU, begging for a customs union or even rejoining. And then, May's deal might not have been that bad after all......

1 minute ago, bert bloggs said:

Unlike Remainers who do have a plan ,that is to thwart the will of the people who voted leave ,ie the majority .

Remain supports have a democratic right to peacefully campaign, lobby and protest in favour of the things they believe in.

 

The ‘will of the people’ is not the will of all the people.