Marching in March

On March 25, a hardy bunch of pro-EU troops from across Berkshire joined the March for Europe in London, organised by Unite for Europe. Fortune did not favour the march in the immediate run-up, with some internal organisational issues and calls to cancel it completely in the wake of the horrific Westminster terror attacks which took place just a few days earlier.
But, in glorious spring sunshine, we joined tens of thousands of anti-Brexiters (police estimates were that over 100,000 people attended) to walk from Park Lane to Parliament in protest at both Britain’s departure from the EU and the way it is being done. Carrying our banner, and enjoying the drums and festive atmosphere, we loved the whole thing – not least the placards, including the one reading, with glorious British understatement: ‘I am quite cross’.
At a rally in Westminster at the end, high-profile speakers ranged from Tim Farron to Mike Galsworthy, Alistair Campbell and London MP David Lammy.
In a blistering speech, Nick Clegg said: “Like many of you I was profoundly saddened by the outcome of the referendum but that sadness has given way to a perpetual sense of anger about the choices that Theresa May and her government have taken since.”
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.

Being vigil-ant

Knowing that Article 50 was perhaps, in the words of Churchill, the end of the beginning rather than the end of Brexit, we thought we should mark the occasion. A vigil outside Reading’s Town Hall, by the Queen Victoria statue, on the eve of Article 50 day, was well attended. Holding flags and our banner, fresh from the march, we chatted to passers-by for a couple of hours in the early evening, and generally made our views known. Similar events were held in Wokingham and Maidenhead the next day, the day Article 50 was activated, right next to a busy road. We were seen by hundreds of people on their way home from work.
At the same time, small EU flags have been popping up in the unlikeliest of local places,

including in the constituency homes of Reading East MP Rob Milson, and Theresa May herself. Now who could have done such as thing, we wonder?

After a successful march on Saturday, join us on Tuesday 28 March at the Queen Victoria statue outside Reading Town Hall between 5 & 7 pm, as PM Theresa May prepares to trigger Article 50 this week. We’ll be celebrating our connections with mainland Europe and standing together for a future of peace, unity and cooperation.

If you wish, please bring a flower and a postcard/photos (and a photocopy) of people /places in mainland Europe you feel connected to. We will leave the flowers and photocopy there.
Join us!

It’s been so busy here at Berkshire for Europe we’ve barely had time to draw breath! Here’s our regular round-up of what we’ve been up to – and how you can become involved with the local anti-Brexit campaign in this crucial month, which sees key votes in the House of Lords. March is also, of course, the month of Prime Minister Theresa May’s arbitrary, self-imposed deadline for triggering Article 50.

So, what’s been going on?

AC Grayling in Reading

We were thrilled that the Brain of Remain himself, Professor AC Grayling, came to Reading to speak last Friday evening. One of our leading, and most eloquent, pro-EU voices, Professor Grayling is a philosopher and Master of London’s New College of the Humanities. During a powerful address, he reminded us of the referendum’s poor construction, of the groups who were denied a voice in it, and of the many bene

fits of the European project. He also highlighted the potential dangers of the UK’s departure from the Union, and urged us to ask Leavers – who benefits from Brexit? The answer of course is the nation’s richest, insulated by their wealth and less in need of the advantages of membership.

We filled a sizeable room at Reading University (which doesn’t itself endorse our campaign) and took nearly £500 in donations on the door which will hugely help advance our campaign. We’re sure that AC Grayling’s visit will have attracted new members to join the campaign, while giving fresh inspiration and encouragement to us all. Thanks to everyone who took the time to come along, and, of course, to Professor Grayling as well.

We’re pin-up people

We’ve become poster girls and boys as part of the ‘From the 48% to Theresa May’ crowdfunding drive which has been hugely successful. The campaign has allowed us to have our very own billboard in Reading, on Basingstoke Road South at the corner with Elgar Road. (The postcode is RG2 0DP.)

The poster was a reminder of all the things we did NOT vote for, from a hard Brexit to price rises to hate crimes.

A group of us were photographed in front of the billboard on Sunday morning – we reckon we (and, more importantly the poster) look pretty good. Bowl along and see it for yourself, or look out for it if you’re driving past!

Stalls stop the campaign from stalling

We were pleased to support local Lib Dems’ EU Day of Action in central Reading this Saturday in central Reading.

Working in shifts throughout the day, we handed out leaflets and balloons, and had some good conversations with passers-by as the EU flag flew proudly from the stall.

The occasion was also a good chance to raise awareness of the march in London this month (see below) and of Brexit issues generally. One common misconception, by the way is that Brexit is a done deal, when it most certainly is not, so we had some good conversations around that.

On the subject of stalls, we’ll be handing out leaflets in Broad Street ourselves on March 11 and 18 to drum up awareness and numbers for the big march on the 25th. We’ll need support so please come along if you can! Reply to this email and fill in our doodle poll so our organisers can get in touch and tell you what’s needed. If you’re a Facebooker, there are also events on the Berkshire 48 and Beyond group here – just add yourselves to the group to get regular updates and join into events (including the odd drinks: we were down at the Nag’s Head tonight – it’s not all hard work!)

Thank you for your support and hope to see a few of you out with us on Saturday to help spread the word!

Welcome to the latest round-up of news from Berkshire for Europe. It’s an incredibly busy time for us, with a lot going on locally in March as the government prepares to meet its own (arbitrary) deadline of triggering Article 50 by the end of the month.

There’s a lot you can do to support us, and to be involved in the campaign to stop Brexit at local level.

Berkshire for Europe launched!

We held our first event towards the end of February, and it was a huge success as we gathered in a packed room in Reading University’s Palmer building. We were really lucky to have three outstanding speakers in the same place on the same evening!

Mike Biden of the European Movement spoke of the history of the EU and of pro-European organisations in the UK and told us that changing public opinion is now key – Article 50 is revocable so we have 18 months to stop this. Mike Galsworthy from Scientists for EU reminded the room of just how disastrous leaving the European Union would be for science and research. Tim Skeet in his final address as interim Chair of Britain for Europe focused on the importance of reaching out to Leave voters and rebuilding bridges.

All three speakers reminded us that the battle is not over yet, and that it can still be won. (And will be if we have anything to do with it!)

We were delighted, too, at the lively Q & A session after the talks, and to have the chance to meet generally. Thanks to everyone who came along.

The great A.C. Grayling … in Reading!

We are beyond excited that the author, philosopher, and founding Master of the New College of the Humanities, A. C. Grayling, is to give a talk in Reading. The leading light of the Remain campaign is delivering his address on March 3 at 7.30pm in Palmer G10 on Reading University’s Whiteknights Campus. (Although his is not a Reading University event, nor is our campaign endorsed by the university.) Professor Grayling will also have a limited time for questions after his talk.

We’re operating a first come first, first served policy on the night for this event, and asking for donations rather than selling tickets. It’s bound to be at capacity, so turn up in plenty of time. It’s set to be a powerful, thought-provoking occasion.

Email a Lord or Lady – last chance!

On Monday and Wednesday this coming week, the House of Lords will vote on amendments to the European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill 2016-17.

It is hugely important that we join forces in writing to peers urging them to hear our voices. Please join us in asking peers to support the amendment titled:

“Parliamentary approval for the outcome of negotiations with the European Union” (Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, Lord Lennie, Lord Pannick, Lord Hannay of Chiswick).

This would give MPs the chance to reflect on and review the final outcome of negotiations in two years’ time rather than just giving the government a blank cheque. The full details of all proposed amendments can be found online.

(Although there are three other significant amendments, this one is crucial.)

At Berkshire for Europe, we’ve decided to split the Lords between us and write to all those suggested as sympathetic by Represent Us. The more letters they get, the better!

Here’s the breakdown with email addresses of the Lords we’re targeting. Pop your name in the “other” column if you contact one so we don’t all message the same person.

If you want to find out more about the person you’re contacting, have a look at their biography here.

Please get emailing. Let’s keep supporting those who are supporting us! And don’t forget to share any responses you get.

Marching in March – we’re ready!

Unite for Europe’s national march from London’s Park Lane to Parliament to stop Brexit on March 25 needs to be MASSIVE – and we want everyone who can to join us marching in London on that day. The meeting point is at Park Lane at 11am.

We’ve got various suggestions for meeting up to march together. Meet at Reading station (outside WH Smith) at 9am to get discounted group/Railcard travel tickets in plenty of time to catch the 0917 to Paddington.

People traveling from Windsor, please drop an email to Windsor for EU (windsorforeu@gmail.com) if you would like to travel in with others. West Berkshire Stronger Together will be travelling from Newbury together, getting the 8:34 after an 8:00 photo outside the station. You can add yourself to their group here to be kept in the loop about any changes. Maidenhead for EU may also have plans – join their Facebook page here.

Alternatively, meet us at Marble Arch at 1030am. Look out for John Barron and his colourful banner of flags as a meeting point!

We’re really looking forward to this event – see you there. Facebook link here.

And don’t forget to tell everyone you know to think about marching too! As we said, the only way this event can have any impact is if it’s HUGE.

More local activity: setting out our stalls

In the run-up to the Prime Minister’s self-imposed deadline for triggering Article 50 and the March for Europe on the 25th, we’re planning stalls in central Reading on the 11th and 18th of March to make people aware of the London march, and to start rebuilding bridges with our Leave-voting neighbours. We’ll need the support of volunteers to help with these. Please let us know if you can spare an hour or two on one of those days. As part of our commitment to the pro-EU cause, we’ll also be supporting the Liberal Democrats on the 4th March as they campaign for the EU in Reading centre from 11 am to 4 pm on what is being billed as a Europe Day of Action.

There’ll be leaflets and a petition to sign. We hope to support this as a pro-Remain rather than a party-political event, and, again, we’ll keep you posted.

Huge thanks to everyone who is supporting the Remain cause locally! We hope to see you soon.