‘Let them have a say on their future’: Politicians explain why they joined today’s People’s Vote March

Chuka Umunna, Anna Soubry and Alastair Campbell speak to JOE

Organisers claim nearly three-quarters-of-a-million people marched through central London today demanding a second Brexit referendum.

The demonstration gathered at 12pm on Park Lane before masses of protesters began their route through the centre of the capital. The march was led by young voters and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, after over 150 coaches brought demonstrators to the capital from across the UK, with some coming from places as remote as Orkney.

In the crowd, fury at those responsible for Brexit was palpable, with signs branding Nigel Farage, Boris Johnson, David Davis and Jacob Rees-Mogg “liars” and chants of “What do we want? A People’s Vote. When do we want it? Now!” as masses of people descended onto Parliament Square.

JOE spoke to some of the prominent participants in the march

Chuka Umunna, Labour MP

“I just think, look this issue transcends parties. I’m here with Conservative MPs, SNP MPs, my Labour colleagues and why is everyone here together?

“Because this is bigger than what’s going on in any of the main parties and between them. It’s a country issue, it’s the biggest issue since the Second World War.

“I just really want Labour to be in the right place on it and be with these guys.

Anna Soubry, Conservative MP

“There’s a fantastic turnout of people from all over the UK. British people have come from France and other parts of the EU because they want to have their say.

“This is democracy in action. It’s about people saying ‘Look, it’s a mess.’ This is not what people voted for, it’s not what Leave voters voted for. They didn’t vote for all of this chaos.

“They were told they’d get £350 million more for the NHS every week, the easiest deal and all the rest of it. It’s not like that.

“Parliament has reached an impasse. The government can’t even decide what it’s own policy is, so what is the only solution? A People’s Vote.

“Take it back to the British people. Let them have a say on their future, especially the young ones.

Alastair Campbell, former Labour director of communications

“Look I’m still in principle against referendums but I think this mess being created by a referendum, by David Cameron deciding to have one, I don’t think you can undo that without going back to the people with a question about the deal.

“So I am instinctively always against referendums but I don’t think you can do this without having another one.

“It is about the deal which is so far removed from what was promised, what was thought was gonna happen.

“The idea that the vote should now only be should only be between Theresa May’s deal or a no deal, that is a democratic outrage.

“And so all fo these people are basically saying ‘Sorry Mrs May, we are not uniting around your vision of Brexit.

“So I hope to God at the end of that people understand actually we’re a parliamentary democracy and parliament should make those decisions.

“But so many MPs are just keeping their heads below the parapet, and that’s why people are so many people are so frustrated.”