For a while now, Yorkshire for Europe groups have been getting down to London once a week to support Steve Bray of SODEM, and demonstrate peacefully outside Parliament. Week by week, the Great Yorkshire Songbook has evolved, featuring such memorable numbers as ‘We’re down from Yorkshire just to say…’ to the tune of -what else? ‘On Ilkley Moor baht ‘at’, and ‘Why, why why Theresa?’ to the tune of ‘Delilah’. Cornwall for Europe does much the same, but they have a great tradition of sea shanties to draw on for their songbook (‘What shall we do with this rotten Brexit?‘).
Adrian from North Yorkshire for Europe threw down the gauntlet to Cornwall. The Great Yorkshire/Cornwall sing-off. Challenge accepted.
On Monday, two coaches arrived in London. One from the north, stuffed not only with Remainers in good voice, but Yorkshire flags by the dozen, European flags, Union flags, placards, and Mark’s tuba. Oh, and seven students from Sheffield University, hitch-hiking to Transylvania for charity, via our demo. And a coach from the south-west, idem, except that they had black-and white Cornwall flags and placards, and a Cornish bagpipe instead of a tuba. And no students.
And outside Parliament, we sang. We soon learnt each other’s songs, and we sang, sang, sang. Alistair Campbell came for a while with his bagpipes. Our MEP Richard Corbett came and joined in, so did Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman, and Lib Dem Tom Brake, who brought chocolates too.
Steve Bray, that stalwart who protests all day and every day, whatever the weather joined in the fun, and was invited to judge the two choirs. ‘52% for one, and 48% for the other!’, suggested some wit in the crowd. Steve was far too polite, and suggested a draw. Team Yorkshire thought that Cornwall had the best tunes, and were more tuneful, but we were LOUDER.
And at 6 o’clock, we followed Steve’s daily tradition. We trooped after him and his mega-megaphone and bellowed People’s Vote slogans as loudly as possible across to the House where members were about their daily business. If you’d been watching the BBC 6 o’clock news at 6.11, you’d have seen us. And again at 10.00. A friend in Cardiff spotted us on the Welsh news.
During the day there were interviews with Norwegian radio and French TV (Arte is doing a full length documentary on Britain and Brexit, and have been filming in the area for 10 days).
Just one more job to do before the long journey home. Get along to the press hub, and be there while Channel Four does its daily interviews on its 7 o’clock news. More flag waving, shouting and singing, and a bit of trespass onto the lawns with a placard by Steve Bray.
We met Londoners, tourists, people from around Europe who’d made England their home and no longer feel as welcomed as they used to. We’ve had our photos taken, had discussions with dozens and dozens of passers-by. Does it make a difference? We don’t know. But we know we brought cheer to so many people who like us, hope that Brexit is not a Done Deal.
From Pyrenees to Pennines 
Yorkshire should be proud of you, I would be if I lived there. Loved all the pictures and the wonderful singing on the video!
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We had a brilliant time. I wish I’d mentioned it to you beforehand. You might have come and joined in!
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I am a bit too uncertain on my elderly feet to stand about though I would certainly have enjoyed the experience otherwise.
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I know you’d have been cheering us on, if only virtually…
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Well done to all of you! Everyone sounded splendid but no wonder you were exhausted once you got home!
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And a super-busy week is ensuing….
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I’ll take a rest on your behalf 😉
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You know I saw this on some news outlet or other and I immediately wondered whether you were amongst those hearty and persistent singers. Well done, it’s certainly keeping the pressure up. Do hope you were a long way away from the unpleasant nasties that have been causing trouble around there. Keep safe.
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Thank you. Street campaigning is certainly getting tougher. No violence, but real anger and unwillingness actually to engage. Monday was just … fun. Tiring, but fun, with a good reception from most.
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I am glad it was fun, but still I do think you are brave to take to those particular streets at this time.
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Well done, whatever happens I hope our European friends here and on the mainland know many of us don’t want to lose them.
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I hope so too. Remainers’ antics seem to be well reported in Europe.
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Are you up for another year of it?
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Oh Peter….. just don’t…….
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Keep up the fight.
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We try….
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You’ve banished my Brexit blues for this morning. Thank you. It’s wonderful that so many doughty Europeans can keep their hopes up in such style!
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It doesn’t last Judith. Gloom and doom is my default position.
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If you’re interested in sea shanties I recommend Fishermen’s Friends. It’s filmed beautifully.
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I’ll look out for that. I don’t know much about sea shanties – but they are singable!
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Great way to build solidarity and make your voices heard!
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Until we got too hoarse … yes, it was a fun day, and made lots of new connections.
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That’s great. So reassuring to meet like-minded people to bolster one’s resources.
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Oh, I do love a good sea shanty! And I love the image of you all singing together, making something positive and fun out of the negative. But will it ever end?? Your whole country is just in limbo!
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Will it ever end? Don’t hold your breath…….
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