On 23 March 2019, in one of the largest political demonstrations in British history, hundreds of thousands of people marched through central London to demand a second Brexit referendum. The organisers estimated attendance as standing at one million, but independent analysis suggested a count closer to “between 312,000 and 400,000” people.

The “Put it to the People” march came mere days after the House of Commons rejected prime minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal by 391 votes to 242 – a crushing majority of 149. Following this vote, on 13 March, MPs narrowly backed an amendment rejecting the prospect of a so-called “no-deal exit” under any circumstances.

The prime minister responded to this result, which the government actively opposed, by bringing forward a motion to test whether MPs supported an extension to Article 50 (the Brexit negotiating period).

On 14 March, MPs voted to delay Brexit by 413 votes to 202 – a majority of 211.

An extension to the Article 50 period was granted on 21 March until either 22 May, subject to MPs approving the Withdrawal Agreement, or failing that until 12 April. Previously, the default legal position would have meant Britain leaving the European Union (EU) on 29 March with or without a deal.

***

The anti-Brexit demonstration culminated in a large rally in Parliament Square.

The gathering was addressed by a host of senior cross-party politicians, including the Labour deputy leader, Tom Watson; the first minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon; the mayor of London, Sadiq Khan; Labour MPs Jess Phillips and David Lammy; Independent Group MP Anna Soubry; Conservative MP and former attorney general Dominic Grieve; and the former Conservative deputy prime minister, Michael Heseltine.

The cross-party event was also attended by Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable and Green party MP Caroline Lucas.

Lib Dem deputy leader Jo Swinson and Labour MP Ian Murray were also present.

In his speech, Watson described the Brexit deal negotiated by May as “lousy”.

He told the crowds: “I can only vote for a deal if you let the people vote on it too. prime minister, you’ve lost control of this process, you’re plunging the country into chaos, let the people take control.”

Sturgeon, in her contribution, said now was “the moment of maximum opportunity” to avoid the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.

She declared: “Scotland – the land where more than 60% of people voted to remain in the European Union – our voice has been ignored.

“But it is not only our voice that has been ignored. The voice of the 48% who voted remain across the UK is being ignored. And the voice of those who voted to leave but who could never have contemplated the mess that Brexit has become – their voice is being ignored as well.

“But today we make our voices heard. And what our voices are saying loudly and clearly is this: Put it back to the people.”

https://x.com/NicolaSturgeon/status/1109478350953893888

As part of the march, an 800 square metre crowd flag was unfolded, depicting a 2012 quote from Brexiteer David Davis. The banner was organised by campaigners from Led By Donkeys, an anti-Brexit, anti-Conservative campaign group, and For our Future’s Sake, a youth group calling for a second Brexit referendum.

It stated: “If a democracy cannot change its mind, it ceases to be a democracy”.

***

A third meaningful vote on May’s deal was rejected by 344 votes to 286 on 29 March, the day Britain was due to leave the EU.

May’s government subsequently sent a letter to Donald Tusk, the president of the European Council, asking for a further extension to Article 50. The UK and EU ultimately agreed to extend Article 50 until 31 October 2019.

This development meant the UK would fight the upcoming European Parliament elections. On 24 May, between polling day and the declaration of results, Theresa May announced her intention to resign as prime minister.

The results, declared on 26 May, exposed a deep public backlash against the two main Labour and Conservative parties.

The Brexit Party, which was less than five months old, topped the poll with 31.6% of the vote, securing 29 seats and becoming the largest single party in the European parliament. Farage and his party had campaigned in favour of a no-deal Brexit.

Parties with a clear pro-second referendum stance also performed strongly. The Liberal Democrats surged into second place with 20.3% of the vote and 16 seats (up 15), while the Green Party also had its best-ever national result, taking 12.1% and seven seats (up four).

Jo Swinson took over as leader of the Liberal Democrats in the wake of the contest.