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Anti-Brexit protests call for Britain to rejoin EU

Anti-Brexit protesters rally in central London on September 23, 2023. (AFP photo)

Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in central London, calling for Britain to rejoin the European Union (EU).

Britain left the EU after voting in favor of Brexit in a 2016 referendum.

The National Rejoin March (NRM), the organizer of the rally, said around 3,000 people rallied in central London on Saturday.

They were waving the bloc’s flags and holding placards reading, "The road to rejoin the EU starts here.”

Peter Corr, leader and co-founder of NRM, described Brexit as a huge mistake.

"Brexit was a huge mistake, we’re all -– especially working class and poorer people –- paying for it and we need to do something about it.”

The leader of the Liberal Democrats, the party which was defined by its "Stop Brexit" stance four years ago, however, said on Saturday that re-joining the EU is currently "off the table.”

"We want Britain to be back at the heart of Europe but we're also realistic that’s going to take some time," said Ed Davey.

London negotiated an exit deal with Brussels under the premiership of former Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The deal came into force in 2021, with a review set for 2025.

Zack Polanski, member of the Green Party, said “Brexit has failed.”

He said that “most of all it’s hitting the poorest and the most vulnerable in the country the hardest.”

Over the past year, rising prices have put increasing pressure on many people living in Britain.

The cost of living increased sharply across the United Kingdom during 2021 and 2022.

The economy expanded in the first two quarters of 2023. But economists say there is now a mounting toll on the economy from the reality of the increased cost of living and the recent rapid rise in interest rates.

On Friday, a business survey showed clear recession signals in Britain, a day after the Bank of England halted its long run of interest rate increases at the expense of a hit to businesses.


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