Why I went on my first march to support the People’s Vote

I joined the Liberal Democrats in the days
following the Brexit Referendum in 2016.

It was following the dramatic result and
the campaigning that had occurred around the vote that I realised I wanted to
try and make a difference in the area where I lived - an area that had
overwhelmingly voted to leave the European Union.

During the campaign the Brexiteers built
their vote on lies, fear, hatred and racism and it was just something I could
not just let stand by and watch happen.

As a father whose son was born in March
2016 it was not the atmosphere or beliefs I wanted him to grow up with.

In the months and years that have passed it
is clear that for many of the big names in British politics the EU Referendum
was nothing but a way to push their own agenda and to try and increase the
value of their own stock.

The People's Vote March was the chance for
individuals to get together to tell those in power that we will not just stand
by and let egos ruin this great country for future generations.

I have never been on a march before and
when I travelled down to London I soon realised I was not the only one - there
were thousands upon thousands of people who had never attended a gathering like
this before, but had decided to put their time and energy into spending the day
standing next to other people with the same beliefs - for the good of the
country and future generations.

Havering Liberal Democrats travelling down
to the march as a group and witnessed the historic scenes in London - there
were stickers given out galore, humorous placards, speeches from political
figures all under a bright blue sky in our capital. It was incredible.

It was a day that I will never forget, and
one that gives me hope for the future in our country, and it was great to share
it with people from the local Lib Dem party.

Over the past week I have looked back at
the march and feel now even stronger that there should be a People's Vote. The
Government with Theresa May's Brexit Deal has been crushed, while the
opposition under Jeremy Corbyn have failed to get a no confidence proposal in
the government accepted. The only way to stop this deadlock is to give the
people of UK the choice again.

If you feel like joining the fight against Brexit or just want to support the Liberal Democrats both Nationally and in you local area then sign up at https://www.libdems.org.uk/join-local

Thomas Clarke

Havering Liberal Democrats Membership Development Officer