Tag: Parliament

Proroguing of Parliament sparks protests in Cornwall

Bev Haigh-Jones

Cornwall for Europe, the campaigners for Britain to stay in the EU, have called a protest on Thursday 29th August at 10.30, outside the offices of Sarah Newton MP, Quay Street, Truro .

They are angry about the suspension of Parliament by the Prime Minister and they have supported spontaneous protests. ‘This is outrageous. There is no majority for a no deal Brexit, either in Parliament or in the country’ said Charles Boney, Press Spokesperson for Cornwall for Europe. ‘We are supporting anyone who wants to make a legal protest, such as the group who paraded outside the office of Sheryll Murray MP on Wednesday. We are calling for anyone who wants to protest to try and get to Truro to make their feelings heard.’

Tom Scott, social media officer of the group has also reported that the group has been targeted by hard right Brexit supporters.

Protestors outside Sheryll Murray’s office in Liskeard

‘Our facebook has been filled with vitriol by Brexit trolls and we have had at least two of our Committee’s social media accounts hacked. There was specific request on a far right website to troll Cornwall for Europe. We are doing our best to block these people.’

Cornwall for Europe will continue to organise street stalls several times a week in main towns throughout the County. They have also mounted a huge ‘Stop Brexit’ sign at the end of the Airport runway at Newquay and are planning more signs throughout the County as well as taking coach bookings for a big London protest on 19th October.

Musical Monday

Bev Haigh-Jones

Campaigners from Cornwall for Europe have travelled to London for the third time in a month to lobby Parliament, trying to persuade MPs to stop brexit by calling a new ‘People’s Vote’ on any deal. On Monday they travelled to take part in a ‘musical Monday’ called by the well known anti Brexit activist Steve Bray who waves placards and heckles press interviews with his megaphone.

But this time something different was used as a tactic. Groups from all over the country were invited to sing their own versions of well known songs and shanties about brexit. ‘What shall we do with this rotten Brexit?’ to the tune of Drunken Sailor is one of the group’s favourites. Howard Farmer, one of organisers, said: ‘Was it the Emperor Nero who is said to have fiddled on the violin while Rome burnt? Well, Parliament is frozen and incapable of making a decision, so we thought we would come to London and sing while Brexit burns this country apart.’

Cornwall for Europe, North Yorks for Europe, Tunbridge Wells for Europe and SODEM were joined by Berry Sbeerman MP and others during the simg+off


They also took with them home made scones, jam and Cornish clotted cream to nourish themselves and fellow singers, especially some visitors from Yorkshire. Emmanuelle Brooke, Cornwall for Europe Chair said: ‘We cannot miss any opportunity to educate potential visitors to Cornwall which way up to have their cream and jam.’

Stalwart anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray enjoys a scone the Cornish way

Press Officer, Charles Boney said the campaign would continue to do everything possible to press for action. ‘Parliament is at a stalemate. Now Brexit is delayed for up to six months, it seems the politicians have relaxed and are letting time slip by. Both main parties are so divided that we have no effective Government in this country. We are becoming a laughing stock across the world. My biggest fear is that other countries are looking at us with sadness and thinking ‘strike a trade deal with the UK? Really? Why?’