Brexit march 2019: 'One million' people descend on London demanding a People’s Vote

An estimated one million people marched through the streets of central London today to demand the public get a final say on Brexit.

Staggering footage showed huge crowds making their way through the capital as demonstrators taking part in the Put it to the People march made their way from Hyde Park Corner towards Parliament.

Mariella Frostrup and Richard Bacon, who hosted a rally in Parliament Square, claimed that an initial count of demonstrators showed that the amount of people taking part topped one million.

Independent Group MP Chuka Umunna also tweeted that an estimated one million attended the march.

Marching bands, music, whistles, cheers and chants of "people's vote" provided a noisy backdrop to the march.

Demonstrators wore blue and yellow berets and flew large EU flags above the crowd as they slowly made their way to Parliament Square.

Placards carried among the crowd called on the Government to "Revoke Article 50". Others read: "We're marching to demand a People's vote" and: "We love EU".

The Union flag, the Scottish saltire and flags of other European nations were also flown above marchers.

The size of the crowd saw people spill over into the capital's side streets as demonstrators walked from Hyde Park down to Piccadilly.

Sadiq Khan tweeted a video of the countdown launching the march, with the London mayor holding up a banner at the front of demonstrators.

He wrote: "And we're off!

"Here in London, thousands of people from across our city and country have come together with @peoplesvote-uk to send a clear message: Enough is enough - it's time to give the British public the final say on Brexit."

Sarah and Andrew Smith, aged 40 and 54, attended the march on their sixth wedding anniversary.

Mr Smith said: “It’s got to be done. We’ve got to get our priorities right.

“You can see by how many people have families here, this is what matters.”

David Love, 68, travelled from Devon and said he was marching with his grandchildren.

He told the Standard: "I think it's terrific to see so many people here. My problem with Mrs May is she is putting party before country."

"We're voting for the reality of staying in versus the fantasy of being out," he added.

Richard Kaby, dressed in a blue and yellow outfit with a homemade EU hat, said: "It's such a serious thing.

"I just feel buoyed by how many people are here. I feel happy that something is being done. I hope it's not too late.

Judith Joy, 77, added: "All our grandchildren are going to have to pay for this."

In Parliament Square, Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson told the crowds: "We are one million strong. But there's only one reason I'm here today... my 10-year-old daughter. And she has told me to thank you for campaigning for her future. Thank you."

He added: "This deal please no one - if you voted remain it's a rubbish deal if you voted leave it's a lousy deal. There are no winners, only losers."

Mr Watson said he would help get Theresa May's deal over the line, but only if it is put to a people's vote.

"I will help you get it over the line to prevent a disastrous no-deal Brexit.

"But I can only vote for a deal if you let the people vote on it too."

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine and London mayor Sadiq Khan were also expected to take to the stage, as were ex-attorney general Dominic Grieve, former Tory turned independent MP Anna Soubry, Green Party MP Caroline Lucas and SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford.

Campaigners arrived in the capital from across the country, with one taking on a 715-mile journey on ferries, trains and buses from Orkney in Scotland.

Student Sorcha Kirker, 27, was joined by about 30 other students from the University of the Highlands and Islands.

The London march coincides with pro-Brexit campaigners continuing their long hike from the North East to the capital.

Former Ukip leader Nigel Farage re-joined the March to Leave when it set off from Linby, near Nottingham, on Saturday morning.

Saturday's demonstrations followed EU leaders agreeing to delay Brexit to give Prime Minister Theresa May a final chance to get her deal through Parliament.

Leaders agreed to extend Brexit to May 22 if Mrs May can get MPs to back her deal in the Commons at the third time of asking.

But if she fails the UK will have to set out an alternative way forward by April 12, which could mean a much longer delay and require the country to hold elections to the European Parliament, or result in leaving without a deal at all.

An online petition demanding the Government stops the Brexit process had topped four million signatures by Saturday morning.

It is now the most popular ever submitted to the Parliament website, moving ahead of a 2016 petition calling for a second EU referendum.