Brexit March Abandons Plan To Assemble In Chiswick

Believed to have been due to failure to get permission to use Thames Path

March To Leave defies Council to assemble in Bishops Park Fulham

March To Leave, the 'Brexit Betrayal' march which was due to assemble in Chiswick, abandoned plans to march through W4 and instead assembled in Bishop's Park, Fulham, defying the local council's orders.

The group had previously announced that the march, which started in Sunderland on 16 March, would meet in Chiswick and follow the river Thames to Parliament Square. Although they had not confirmed where the assembly point would be, it was widely believed it would be Turnham Green. They had said they would not reveal details until the last minute for security reasons.

Residents in the Thames Path area of Chiswick, including Corney Reach and Regency Quay, had voiced their concern, saying this was private land. It had been suggested that the route had to be changed when permission was declined on at least one part of the route that was privately owned. The police and Hounslow Council had not given any indication of road closures or any measures that were be in place to marshal the march.

H&F Council's statement had said, "The pro-Brexit marchers do not have permission to use Bishop's Park, or march on our streets. We have made that clear to the organisers and fully expect them to comply with the law.

"Hammersmith & Fulham is an anti-Brexit borough. It's strange that they should choose Fulham as an assembly point, as our borough voted overwhelmingly to remain in the European Union, and our council was the first in the country to formally call for a people's vote."

At Vauxhall Bridge, the marchers erupted in cheers at the appearance of the man they regard as their hero — Nigel Farage, former leader of the pro-Brexit UK Independence party.

March To Leave ended at Parliament Square on the day that the UK was originally due to leave the European Union. It was billed was a nationwide protest organised by Nigel Farage and the Leave Means Leave group.

The march took place without major incident as it travelled south although turnout had been no more than a few hundred on each day. The core marchers were required to pay £50 to join but get free food and board. Brexit supporters are being asked to join them to show their support and register as 'cheer leaders'.

March 30, 2019