London, United Kingdom - September 28, 2024

Several hundred demonstrators marched through London on Saturday to urge the British government to rejoin the European Union, calling Brexit the worst decision the country has made in centuries.

With placards reading "Stop the Brexit mess" and "Rejoin the EU," protesters marched from Hyde Park to Parliament Square. Demonstrators said Brexit has dealt a significant blow to the British economy and the lives of ordinary people.

"Brexit's the worst thing that happened to Britain for centuries. Brexit has cost everybody or costs everybody a thousand pounds every year. Many hundreds of businesses have gone broke, gone bust because of Brexit. Supermarket shelves are empty. There's a medicine shortage. And every time we go to an airport we have to queue forever. And we have to get that changed. If it's not changed, Britain will remain on a spiral of decline, which it is at the moment," said John, a protester.

A February opinion poll found that 56 percent of the British public believed it was a mistake to leave the EU. Another survey conducted by pollster YouGov in August showed that up to 59 percent of Britons would vote in favor if there was a referendum on returning to the EU.

"I feel really strongly that Britain needs to be back in the EU. I feel European and I think it's really important for our economy," said protester Diane.

Brexit has dominated British politics and divided the nation for years. On June 23, 2016, Britain voted to leave the EU by 52 percent to 48 percent. After two general elections, intensive negotiations with the bloc and parliamentary wrangling at home, the country finally completed the divorce with the EU in January 2020 and secured a post-Brexit trade deal before Christmas that year.

On Jan. 1, 2021, Britain left the European single market and the EU customs union. Under the post-Brexit trade agreement, trade in goods will continue to be tariff-free and quota-free.

SHOTLIST:
London, UK - Sept 28, 2024
1. Various of protesters holding signs voicing opposition to Brexit;
2. SOUNDBITE (English) John, protester (full name not given/partially overlaid with shot 3/ending with shot 4):
"Brexit's the worst thing that happened to Britain for centuries. Brexit has cost everybody or costs everybody a thousand pounds every year. Many hundreds of businesses have gone broke, gone bust because of Brexit. Supermarket shelves are empty. There's a medicine shortage. And every time we go to an airport we have to queue forever. And we have to get that changed. If it's not changed, Britain will remain on a spiral of decline, which it is at the moment.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
3. Protesters marching;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
4. Various of protesters holding signs, EU flags, marching in street;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Diane, protester (full name not given):
"I feel really strongly that Britain needs to be back in the EU. I feel European and I think it's really important for our economy.";
6. Protesters marching.

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