Residents from Teignbridge joined thousands of others from across the South West for a ‘Stop Brexit’ rally in Bristol last Saturday, October 14.
Speakers at the rally, including members of all major political parties, highlighted the potential dangers to jobs, the NHS, scientific research and the political isolation and weakness in the face of the UK leaving the European Union.
Julie Gregory, of Devon for Europe, said: ‘Many people not previously involved in politics, but motivated by a deep unease that Brexit could be a tragic act of national self-harm, have joined Devon for Europe, a cross-party campaign group committed to keeping the UK in the EU.
‘The gathering in Bristol brought together similar organisations in the European region of South West England and Gibraltar, while parallel rallies were held in the other UK regions.
‘Many of the speakers expressed an overwhelming sadness surrounding the growth in intolerance towards migrants and the loss of a community that had brought peace and cultural richness to Europe.
‘Non-UK citizens who had moved to the UK, who loved our country and had established families here, said they no longer felt welcome and feared family division.
‘The views of the younger generation were expressed by a 17-year-old, angry that having been born in the UK as a citizen of Europe, he had had no say in his change of citizenship, which will limit his ability to live elsewhere within the EU, and mix with other Europeans.’
South West MEP Julie Girling spoke at the rally.
Julie Gregory added: ‘Julie summarised the mood and feelings of the rally when she stated that it had become clear that the promises of the leave campaign in the referendum could not be met.
‘Consequently, the mantra that “the people have spoken” no longer had relevance and needed to be replaced with “the people want to speak on the deal”.’