Thousands march against Brexit across Britain

Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Thousands of anti-Brexit campaigners demonstrated across Britain this weekend calling on the government to halt the rush to quit the European Union.

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Exeter March. Picture: John Presley Exeter March. Picture: John Presley

The protests kicked off on Friday in Oxford at Christopher Wren’s Sheldonian Theatre where Andrew Adonis and Will Hutton previewed their new book.

Lib Dem Daisy Cooper addresses the Great Eastern march in Ipswich. Photo: Richard Hare. Lib Dem Daisy Cooper addresses the Great Eastern march in Ipswich. Photo: Richard Hare.

The movement continued on Saturday with marches and demonstrations in Leeds, Ipswich, Lincoln, Edinburgh, Maidenhead, Pontypridd, Exeter, and Brighton.

Ipswich - Vivien Collins Ipswich - Vivien Collins

And there was more on Sunday with an event in Newcastle. And on Monday evening a vigil will beheld outside Downing Street.

Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Speakers across the weekend included The New European columnists Professor AC Grayling and Lord Andrew Adonis.

Ipswich - Vivien Collins Ipswich - Vivien Collins

Liberal Democrat activist Daisy Cooper told the Great Eastern march in Ipswich: “The British public must have a say on the Brexit deal.

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark

“News that the UK will likely be paying the Brexit divorce bill until 2064, that the government is making concessions at supersonic speed, and that

“EU health workers are leaving the NHS at an alarming rate means that people are starting to ask what the cost of Brexit really is.

Andrew Adonis speaking in Oxford. Photograph: Andrew Adonis. Andrew Adonis speaking in Oxford. Photograph: Andrew Adonis.

“As new facts emerge, it is becoming increasingly clear that it should be the people, not politicians, who sign off the Brexit deal.”

Exeter - Pauline Iddon Exeter - Pauline Iddon

The march was co-ordinated by the Suffolk EU Alliance and chairwoman Julia Ewart added: “Here we are, nearly two thirds of the way down the line from the triggering of Article 50 and we’re still none the wiser over exactly what it is the Brexit cabinet wants us to ‘get behind’. Our speakers – experts, one and all – explained the reality of our predicament.”

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark

John Barron organised an event in Maidenhead in the Prime Minister’s constituency.

Leeds March Against Brexit. Photograph: Kierán Davis Leeds March Against Brexit. Photograph: Kierán Davis

Commenting on why he was marching there, he said: “In Maidenhead we believe even as a small town we need to demonstrate against the folly of Brexit.” He is hoping the protest will deliver a message to Theresa May, adding: “Nothing in politics is ever final and beyond question, and every leader needs to remember that.”

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark

Leeds for Europe organiser Richard Wilson, explained the rationale for the Great Northern March: “It is a myth that the north of England is dominated by Leave voters. We are marching to show that this is far from the case. The great cities of the north all voted Remain.” He added: “We will demonstrate that people across the north of England reject being stereotyped as Brexiters.”

Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Vanessa Glynn, chair of the European Movement in Scotland, said: “Scotland never wanted Brexit and we will be noisy about it until our voices are listened to. Every week, a new reason for Britain to be in the EU emerges.”

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Anna Clark

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Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Pontypridd March. Photograph: Jenny Sheppard. Pontypridd March. Photograph: Jenny Sheppard.

Pro-EU march in Edinburgh. Photograph: Remain Central Pro-EU march in Edinburgh. Photograph: Remain Central

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Jennifer. Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Jennifer.

Leeds March Against Brexit. Photograph: Kierán Davis Leeds March Against Brexit. Photograph: Kierán Davis

Maidenhead March Against Brexit. Photograph: Mark Palmer Maidenhead March Against Brexit. Photograph: Mark Palmer

Maidenhead March Against Brexit. Photograph: Mark Palmer Maidenhead March Against Brexit. Photograph: Mark Palmer

Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Richard Corbett Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Richard Corbett

Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Sean McCarthy Great Northern March against Brexit in Leeds. Photograph: Sean McCarthy

Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire Anti-Brexit campaigners protesting in Edinburgh. Photograph: Jane Barlow/PA Wire