Just a few hundred gather in the September sunshine for Stop Brexit rally

A crowd of just a few hundred gathered on Hove Lawns over the weekend to march to Hove Lawns for the Stop Brexit rally. Despite the September sunshine it would seem that the majority of the 7,000 delegates attending conference preferred to sit in the conference hall.

The crowd heard from speakers including local MPs and former Labour communications chief Alastair Campbell. They outlined their opposition to the Conservative government’s handling of Brexit and why they think the UK should stay in the single market.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle MP for Kemptown addressed the rally, insisting that Britain should remain a member of the EU. Lloyd Russell-Moyle said: “We cannot have a progressive Britain without a progressive EU that we are a full part of with full rights.”

The statement marks a split between the Labour MP and the party leadership, which has decided to accept the result of the EU referendum in June 2016 but argue for extended membership of the customs union and single market.

Lloyd Russell Moyle MP added: “I’m a friend of Jeremy Corbyn…but when you’re friends with people and they’re going in the wrong direction on something you stand up and say something.”

The Kemptown MP continued, saying that the government would have to prise his passport “out of his cold dead hands.”

The Stop Bexit march was organised by a coalition of pro-EU groups both local and from wider afield. The rally began at The Level before making its way to the seafront, past the Brighton Centre where the Labour conference is being held, and west to Hove Lawns where a stage was set up.

Hove MP Peter Kyle said: “Brexit is going wrong and we must stop it.” He even said that the option of a second referendum should remain on the table.

Green Party co-leader and Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas also addressed the crowd. She said: “It’s more important than ever that people have an opportunity to change their minds, and that’s why the Green Party is absolutely committed to a referendum on the final deal.”

Lloyd Russell-Moyle went further, saying Brexit was a disaster and insisting that “we must make sure it (Britain) stays in the EU.”

Former Labour communications chief Alastair Campbell told the crowd he was himself a “Remainer, remoaner, remainiac” who would not stay quiet about the issue. He added that: “People can change their minds, and the country can change its mind.”

Mr Campbell also entertained the crowd by playing Ode to Joy on the bagpipes.

By Clare Calder