When did you first attend the SODEM protest outside Parliament and why did you come?
A couple of times between October – November 2017, then regularly from December 2017. I came because I needed to do something to stop Brexit happening.
I’d been on the marches in London and Brighton etc., but between those events I felt frustrated that I was doing nothing except grumbling and writing to MPs to express my anger.
Then I read about Steve’s SODEM protest and thought a visible statement to Govt. and media was a brilliant way to show we Remainers weren’t going away.
Roughly how old are you?
60ish
How frequently did you come and when was the last time you attended?
From around January 2018 until March 2020 and lockdown, except for two holidays, I attended the SODEM protest every day they were at Westminster. (when Parliament was sitting & after Brexit on Wednesdays ) I haven’t been back lately only because I don’t feel safe using the tube at the moment.
How far from Westminster do you live and what was your travelling time?
I live in East London. About 50 minutes on the Tube.
What’s your favourite memory?
There are lots, not sure I can narrow it to one. Pies not Lies & Cake not Hate were brilliant days. The Yorkshire and Cornwall for Europe sing off with guest star Alastair Campbell on bagpipes. Dame Sarah Connolly singing Bollocks to Brexit. The day white van man stopped and handed us £50 towards the funds. The time a lovely German lady stopped and handed me a tiny enamel EU flag heart brooch ” to say thank you for being here “. Both of us were struggling to hold back tears. Singing with Jane Keane and Paul Calladine.
Tell me your story
I’m a Londoner from an ordinary working-class family background, educated at a secondary modern then art school. I’ve worked in the animation film industry for most of my working life with people from all parts of Europe and the world. For the past 30 years or so I’ve lived in East London with my Canadian partner. I have 2 younger brothers who, I was shocked to discover, both voted to leave the EU. One has since changed his mind.
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