Cheers erupt outside Parliament as Brexit delayed again

A sea of protesters was across street from Parliament when word arrived that lawmakers in House of Commons h forced ar delay in Britain’s protracted Brexit battle.

Parliament Square, awash in European Union flags, erupted in cheers.

“Fantastic news,” said Paul Crdy, who h traveled from Bristol in western England to join hundreds of thousands of people in a march calling for a “people’s vote” on Brexit. “We need ar vote, we need ar say w we kw what facts are,” 38-year-old consultant said.

march came as lawmakers held ir first Saturday sitting since 1982 to debate Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s divorce settlement with EU. y voted 322-306 to withhold ir approval on Brexit deal until legislation to implement it has been passed.

Johnson vowed to press on and said he planned to introduce Brexit-implementing legislation to Parliament on Monday. He implied he would request a three-month delay as required but argued against any postponement. latest delay was welcome news for those who poured into London to call for a new nationwide vote on deal.

“Ar chance for sanity and perhaps rationality to take over, rar than emotion,” filmmaker Jove Lorenty said as he stood outside Parliament. “Never give up until fat ly sings. one kws what will happen, but we have hope.”

Organizers of isy but peaceful march said 1 million people took part.

Police monitoring protest tweeted: “We don’t provide estimates of numbers as it’s such an inexact science. However it is fair to say it is w very busy throughout procession route.” It was a typically British understatement. Many in march were unable to reach Parliament Square because ros were packed with people, from parents with young children to elderly people in wheelchairs.

In one side street, a group of demonstrators with bells strapped to ir legs and wielding sticks put on a tritional folk performance kwn as a Morris dance and chanted: “Morris, t Boris!” to cheers from onlookers.

“Demos that are fun and joyful are more effective,” said one of dancers, Kate Fisher.

Elsewhere, mood was less ebullient.

Sarah Spoor, who cares for her two children with disabilities and fears shorts of medicines and medics from EU if Brexit goes through, choked back tears as she said she was “distraught” at prospect of Britain’s departure.

“It feels like it’s coming to last hurrah before end. I am devastated,” Spoor said.

Sue Penn, a 58-year-old retiree from Herefordshire close to England’s border with Wales, came to London with dozens of people packed into a four-vehicle convoy. “I’m more politically aware than I’ve ever been before. And more angry,” she said as she marched toward Parliament. “I don’t think we can revoke or cancel Brexit. I think we should give people ar say.”