By Caroline Hager
It was a very emotional moment to see the EU and UK flags flying high as the Rejoin Ramblers, Peter, Clare and Ceìra, and Swindon for Europe’s Steve and Marissa walked (and danced!) into the main square in front of the European Parliament – greeted by big cheers and applause – after walking over 200 miles from London in two weeks. On 5 June, 24-year-old Ceìra personally delivered to the waiting French, German and Dutch MEPs a book called “Voices across the Channel” filled with hundreds of messages from the British public expressing heart-felt support for the EU. Ceira reminded us that – like millions of other young people – she could not vote in the 2016 referendum and that it’s time for the UK to reunite with the EU as we are stronger together.
French MEP Sandro Gozi, Co-Chair of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly, called out passionately: “When will you present your new application for membership to rejoin the EU?” and Richard Corbett, former British MEP, said the “tide is turning on Brexit”. German MEP Kai Tegethoff said “Europe lost one of its closest members. The connections are still there ten years later, and strengthening again.” Brexit was the saddest day in the European Parliament, according to German MEP, Daniel Freund, and he is “glad Britons are turning back towards Europe, because we have to work together to defend our way of life and security, and fight big challenges like climate change.”
The pro-EU messages from the UK have not been forgotten: At the European Parliament yesterday, MEP Sandro Gozi held up “Voices across the Channel” to show how much British citizens care. Thanks to the passion, commitment and very tough walking of the Rejoin Ramblers Peter, Clare, Ceira, Steve and Marisa took our message into the heart of the EU.
I feel proud of Cornwall for Europe’s strong support for the National Rejoin March on occasion of the tenth anniversary of the UK referendum, starting with Peter Corr’s talk at our Europe Day social in Truro on 9 May, the fantastic walk from Marazion to Mousehole on 10 May (a definite favourite with the Rejoin Ramblers) and being part of the Brussels welcome together with other EMUK groups from Dorset, East Kent, Swindon for Europe and – very importantly – enthusiastic German, French, Belgian, Italian young people from pro-European Pulse of Europe, WeareEurope and EUmans who are calling for the UK to come home. And two weeks later on 20 June, Cornwall for Europe was proudly marching with thousands to Parliament Square to wave the EU and St. Piran flags to show politicians we want to be back in the EU. As RRJ Clare told the Brussels Times: “It’s not if, it’s when.”
