“The media is talking about it, parliament is talking about it and now it’s time for us to get on the streets to talk about it. Ten years after the vote, in a world that is very different and with a whole generation of people who couldn’t vote back then, the momentum is all in favour of rejoining the EU. It’s not if, it’s when.”
These are the words of Peter Corr, the organiser of the National Rejoin March (NRM), which is happening on Saturday 20 June in London. NRM is expecting thousands of people from all over the UK to turn up to make a positive statement saying that they think the time has come for Britain to commit to rejoining the European Union.
One of the marchers is Richard Jones, from Herefordshire for Europe. Richard said:
“The National Rejoin March is a great opportunity for pro-Europeans to show how much we want the UK to be inside the EU again, working with our European colleagues to help to make the rules. The UK is a serious player diplomatically, politically, economically and culturally. We should play our part at the heart of Europe.”
He is joined by Peter Packham from Leeds for Europe saying:
“I am travelling to London to join thousands of people marking the tenth anniversary of the Brexit referendum and the wasted decade that followed and to make the positive case for Britain’s future in Europe.”
Hope and determination from the North East
James and Janet Sheerin are travelling from Newcastle to join the march. They say:
“We’ve been to many pro-EU marches and demonstrations over the last ten years. It’s an important part of the campaign to get the UK back into Its place at the heart of Europe. Weekly protests at Westminster, marches and street stalls etc all serve to remind our politicians and voters that Brexit is still an open wound, costing the UK billions of pounds every year. If Reform UK gets into power at the next election this window of opportunity may be closed for at least another five years. We may even lose our right to protest. Going to the National Rejoin March sends a message of hope and determination that there can be better times ahead.”
“Just keep swimming”
Mike Galsworthy, Chair of European Movement will be speaking at the march. Mike had this message for supporters:
“In the film Finding Nemo, Dory’s motto is ‘just keep swimming’ and, in the end, that persistence sees them through and gets them home. With us, it’s a case of ‘just keep marching’. But it’s not just the determination, it’s also about seeing friends again, lifting our spirits together, reminding each other that we’re a national movement and – this year – feeling the excitement that the tide is turning for us with events finally starting to go our way.”
Seeing myself as a European
Chris Hammond from Kent had this to say:
“Why am I going to the NRM?
“…because I believe extremely strongly that we should be in the EU, at the table, contributing to the discussions about the future of this continent. By joining up with similar like-minded people on the NRM march sends a message to others, to demonstrate that strength of conviction and belief. The EU is still the greatest and most unique achievement in history, essentially a peace project, and an exemplary model to the world of how peoples and countries can cooperate and develop a common future for the continent.
“Pro-EU campaigning has become my raison d’etre. I share my time by living in Canterbury and in Würzburg, Germany, and see myself as a European, above the two nationalities.”
Not giving up
Carole Hagan is chair of Lincolnshire for Europe, an area that voted strongly to leave in 2016. Carole says:
“I voted YES in the 1975 referendum and watched the country blossom in every way. In 2016 I believe the wrong decision was made to leave the EU because the public vote had been influenced by lies.
“I have joined NRM many times to protest and march and been inspired by people’s determination to right a great wrong.
“We won’t give up until the UK is back in the European Union.”
Bev Haigh-Jones added:
“Despite living in Cornwall, I have attended every pro-EU march since 2019, and I won’t be stopping any time soon. This march is probably the most important so far! Brexit has been an economic and social disaster, and now security is also an issue. The UK is part of Europe, and always will be, and it makes no sense to isolate ourselves from our European friends and neighbours. We need to show that we approve of steps to a closer relationship, and show the far-right that there are more people supporting unity and compassion, than division and hate.”
And finally, Colin Gordon from Oxford for Europe shows his support for NRM and strongly recommends people to get involved, saying:
“The NRM initiative by Peter Corr and friends came along at a point when the pro-EU campaign was regrouping after Brexit. and added a welcome element of grassroots passion and energy. Historically, EMUK and GfE engaged with Peter Corr and the team.
“The event on the 20th deserves our support.”
You can find out more about the National Rejoin March here.
