Remain campaigners from the Bath for Europe and Bristol for Europe groups made an impression when they travelled to Brussels last week, in a bid to raise awareness of ongoing Remain campaigns.
The 26-strong group, many wearing their iconic EU-themed “Bath Berets”, created a stir as they met with senior politicians and officials from both the European Parliament and European Commission.
The aim of the visit was to raise awareness of grassroots campaigning in the UK for the Remain cause and to help ensure that Brussels politicians recognise that views of a proportion of the electorate are being ignored whilst the government pursues a hard Brexit agenda.
The group met with a number of high-profile EU officials with expertise in international trade, citizens’ rights, regional development and security and defence, as well as executives from the office of Guy Verhofstadt, the European Parliament’s representative in the Brexit negotiations.
The campaigners received a positive reception from the EU officers, many of whom praised the UK’s contributions to the European Union and believed that Brexit would be damaging to Britain’s economy, risking trading relationships and regional aid.
The group also learned about threats to the rights of EU citizens who were living in the UK, as well as British nationals abroad, although EU negotiators assured the campaigners that they were working hard to achieve the best outcome for all.
The “Irish question” was also widely discussed, as well as the government’s “red lines” which could determine the type of Brexit negotiated.
The EU representatives were sympathetic to the group’s desire for a “Final Say” vote to be given to the British and insisted that Article 50 could be revoked.
Additionally, the group met with several MEPs, including Molly Scott Cato who represents the South West (Green Party); Claire Moody, Seb Dance and Wajid Khan (Labour); and independents Julie Girling and Richard Ashworth.
There were also positive talks with The Final Say For All Foundation, a group of UK citizens living in EU27 countries, whose lives are being deeply affected by Brexit, but who were denied a vote in the referendum.
When not in meetings and moving around the Parliament buildings, the campaigners created further awareness of the UK Remain movement as many workers, visitors and journalists came up to ask them about their distinctive EU berets and their activities.
After three busy days, the campaigners arrived back fired up and ready to continue with their campaign, including the South West March & Rally for Europe on Saturday 24th March in Exeter, one of numerous regional marches that took place around the UK on the anniversary of the triggering of Article 50.