Demonstrators have branded Brexit a "travesty" as they marked the 10th anniversary of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union with a march through central London, calling for the country to rejoin the bloc.
The decision to leave the European Union in 2016 was called “unmitigated, unprecedented, continuing disaster” by former Labour leader Lord Kinnock, who joined the demonstrators on Saturday.
An estimated 1,500 people gathered at Temple station on Saturday, proceeding to Parliament Square in Whitehall under a banner proclaiming "We Want Our Star Back".
The National Rejoin March (NRM) saw participants waving EU flags and sporting blue and yellow attire, with messages such as "Citizen of Europe" and "Re:Union" emblazoned on hats and T-shirts. The UK’s decision to exit the EU followed a referendum in June 2016, initiated by then-prime minister David Cameron.
Kinnock delivered a scathing indictment of Brexit, branding it an "unmitigated, unprecedented, continuing disaster" during a rally in Parliament Square. The veteran Labour peer warned of "huge, stupendous" economic damage, asserting that the public is acutely aware of the consequences, feeling them in their pockets, witnessing lost opportunities, and experiencing political harm.
He lamented the UK's drastically altered international standing, stating: "We used to be, not very long ago, a significant participant in deciding the condition and the development of our continent. Now, we are an applicant for involvement in the security arrangements – what a change in status, importance, and effectiveness."
Lord Kinnock highlighted the "insecurity of not being part of a collective sovereign series of democracies that are comparable with ours, sharing our values". These domestic challenges unfold against a complex global backdrop, including US president Donald Trump’s tariffs, Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine and all democracies, China’s growing influence, and continued turmoil in the Middle East.
Addressing the Labour Party's future approach, Lord Kinnock expressed his hope that their "efforts to re-establish a new relationship continues … I hope they will intensify and accelerate those so that by the time of the next election the Labour Party is in a position, together with other parties, to say ‘if you vote for us you are voting to make every effort to secure a return of normality in this continent of ours’."
Despite pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to outline plans to quit Downing Street following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election, Lord Kinnock declined to offer his opinion on the Labour leadership.
To cheers from the crowd, he concluded with a stark warning: "We are stuck in Brexit. We are trapped, as outsiders, from the rest of our continent. If anything else was ever doing this much political and economic harm to our beloved country, the demand to end it would be unstoppable."
Among those marching was Madeleine Kay, 32, a newlywed from Sheffield who is attempting to relocate to Germany to be with her husband, Johann. She voiced her profound disappointment, stating: "I think Brexit was a travesty for the United Kingdom and it has also had a personal impact of me, a huge amount."
Ms Kay emphasised her desire for a brighter future for all in the UK, particularly for young people who were unable to vote in the referendum, adding: "It is really important that we make our cause visible. The more that we campaign, the closer we will get to the ultimate goal which is being a member of the EU again."
She highlighted the far-reaching consequences of Brexit, which she believes are now evident across the economy, trade, small businesses, and even fundamental rights and freedoms. Ms Kay also pointed to the more mundane frustrations, such as "just trying to go on holiday and standing in that goddamn queue at the airport."
Arttu Rajantie, a Finnish theoretical physicist residing in Reading and working in London, joined the protest holding a "Scientists for EU" banner.
He described Brexit as having had "a big effect" on scientific research, leading to a significant loss of access to European funding. Professor Rajantie further noted the detrimental impact on freedom of movement, which he said is "really hurting our recruitment and building links with new partners in Europe".
He elaborated on the difficulties faced by the scientific community: "We can’t recruit young European researchers in the same way as we could because they have got 27 countries where they can go without any barriers whereas to come to Britain, they have to get a visa. There is high cost and high bureaucracy. It is very complicated and so they just choose to go elsewhere."
Clare Hall, an organiser for the NRM, expressed her unequivocal stance: "I would just like to see full rejoin – I don’t feel like we have got nothing to lose." She contended that the past decade has unequivocally demonstrated Brexit’s negative consequences, asserting: "It was all based on immigration, and that has been proved to be absolute nonsense, freedom of movement has been stripped away."
Ms Hall concluded that "life has got harder," with increased shopping costs and bureaucratic hurdles for food imports, expressing particular concern for the younger generation who she believes are "set to pay the price of this".
Other homemade placards at the demonstration included messages such as "Brexit sucks", "I don’t want to take my country back, I want to take my country forward", and "Re Join EU for trade and jobs". One banner from Croydon for Europe humorously declared: "The UK should be more like Crystal Palace, Champions of Europe."
Earlier this month, The Independent launched its new campaign, "Europe: The Way Back", which will investigate the impact of Brexit and explore the UK's future relationship with Europe. Sign up to our free Europe: The Way Back newsletter here.
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