#Brexit Portraits
As the details of Brexit are still being ironed out in the corridors of Westminster and Brussels, outside the Houses of Parliament in London, an arguably noisier and more passionate debate is taking place.
Complete with fancy dress, huge placards, colourful banners and loud speakers, in something approaching a Punch and Judy scene, ranks of pro and anti-Brexit demonstrators continue the debate on the streets of the capital, and, after over two and half years since the referendum on Britain leaving the UK, the subject of Brexit is as emotive as it has ever been.
Travelling from each end of the country, they passionately seek to make their voices heard in a desperate attempt to influence the course of the UK’s future, in arguable the most important political era since the end of the second world war.
Lynne Hall, 82, a retired teacher from Richmond, protests against Britain leaving the EU. Lynne used to live in Northern Ireland, and a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU, she says “Men with guns haven’t left Northern Ireland and the only the EU is keeping the peace with the Good Friday agreement, take that away and the fun will start again ”.
Steve Bray, a numismatist from Bridgend in South Wales, leader of the pro-remain campaign group 'Sodem' and has been protesting outside the Houses of Parliament every day parliament has been in session since September 5th 2017. He says Brexit is the “Suicide of a nation”.
Jane Keane, self-employed from Romford, has been coming to Westminster to protest every week since October 2018 and is a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU. She says “I just feel sadness about the situation. People just don’t know what they are going to loose.”
Simon Wilks, a Digital Producer from Dulwich, London, is a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU, he says Brexit is a “mad riddle who no one knows what it is. It is a completely impossible project, impossible to deliver legally and with no possible benefits”.
Judith Spencer, a retired occupational phycologist and former civil servant from Claygate in Surrey, a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU, she says “Brexit betrays my father who fought for Europe in World War 1 and was a true European”.
Judith Spencer, a retired occupational phycologist and former civil servant from Claygate in Surrey, a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU, she says “Brexit betrays my father who fought for Europe in World War 1 and was a true European”.
Penelope Becker, retired, from Putney in London is a firm No Deal Brexit supporter, she says “Brexit means the opportunity to be an Independent nation state once again.”
Michelle Megan, originally from Dublin, is a housewife from Newbury and is campaigning for the third week outside the Houses of Parliament in Westminster, she says “I want the UK to be an Independent Sovereign Nation and for Ireland to leave Europe as well”.
Tracy Blackwell, a Training manager from London, has been protesting since March 2018 for Brexit, she says “If we have a second referendum democracy is Dead. Leave with No Deal”.
Tracy Blackwell, a Training manager from London, and Brexit supporter shows the back of her Yellow vest or Gilet Jaune, whom she says she is in solidarity with.
Andy Wallis, retired from Halisham near Eastbourne, has been campaigning for the UK to stay within the EU for the last four months, he says Brexit is “Self-inflicted unnecessary madness”.
Ruth Fryer, a retired foreign language teacher from Canterbury, and a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU, she says Brexit is “the most disastrous and stupid thing in the history of this country and should never have happened.”
Beth Cameron, a Market Researcher from Edinburgh, and a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU who has been protesting when she can over the last six months, she says “Brexit is so toxic and has caused so much upset between people. We are better off within the EU, ideally I would like to see article 50 revoked and then we can have a fresh conversation”.
Lynne Hall, 82, a retired teacher from Richmond, protests against Britain leaving the EU. Lynne used to live in Northern Ireland, and a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU, she says “Men with guns haven’t left Northern Ireland and the only the EU is keeping the peace with the Good Friday agreement, take that away and the fun will start again ”.
Steve Bray, a numismatist from Bridgend in South Wales, leader of the pro-remain campaign group 'Sodem' and has been protesting outside the Houses of Parliament every day parliament has been in session since September 5th 2017. He says Brexit is the “Suicide of a nation”.
Jane Keane, self-employed from Romford, has been coming to Westminster to protest every week since October 2018 and is a strong supporter of the UK staying in the EU. She says “I just feel sadness about the situation. People just don’t know what they are going to loose.”