Campaigning Swindon pro-EU dancers to lead Rejoin march

Former professional dancers Steve Rouse and Marisa Zoeller will lead the march with dance into Parliament Square with their Swindon based Dance Europa! group.

The two, who run Wroughton Body Balance, recently took part in 360-km walk from Westminster to Brussels to present messages of UK friendship and unity.

They completed the Rejoin Ramble covering 20 miles per day with 12 kilo rucksacks, lead by Army veteran and lorry driver Peter Corr, his wife, ex-soldier Clare Hall, and Ciera Casey Sergeant, who was too young to vote in the Brexit referendum.

Steve and Marisa took part despite the heatwave and physical challenges resulting from their former dance careers.

Steve, 68 this month, has had a double hip replacement, and each has a knee with no cartilege.

Steve and Marisa were invited to perform a mashup of European dance styles at the EU Parliament at the end of their 14 day hike.

Steve said: "I get fed up with our MPs and pundits saying they think the UK public have no interest in rejoining the EU. 

"How the hell do they know what we want? I do. So we decided to tell 'em ourselves, and if we actually WALK here they'll listen...and look, they are!"

All five walkers were recieved enthusiastically by MEPs including Sandro Gozi, chair of the EU/UK relations committee who travelled from Strasbourg to meet them. 

In his speech he asked: "Has Brexit fullfilled the promises made by Nigel Farage? Has it brought a better standard of living to the UK? Has it reduced immigration?

"Has the UK had £350million a week for the NHS? No? Are you going to charge Nigel Farage £350million a week for his lies? Lol!

"And, last question: When is the UK going to apply to rejoin the EU?...We want you back!"

The Swindon dancers will lead Saturday's National Rejoin March in London alongside their Swindon based Dance Europa! group.

The National Rejoin March, timed around the 10th aneversary of the Brexit referendum, is billed as a celebration of our continent, and campaigners say that with nine more countries queuing to join the EU, it will be a statement of intent to return the UK to its place at the heart of Europe.

More information about the march can be found at https://marchforrejoin.co.uk/nrmiv

The march will assemble at Temple underground station from noon before  marching to Parliament Square, where a rally will be held from 2.30pm, hosted by broadcaster Terry Christian and Lee Rudd. 

Speakers confirmed for the rally include Lord Neil Kinnock, former Leader of the Labour  Party, and former Vice-President of the European Commission, and Layla Moran MP, the Liberal Democrat MP for Oxford West and Abingdon. 

They will be joined by Terry Reintke MEP, lawyer and campaigner Shola Mos-Shogbamimu,  Mike Galsworthy of European Movement UK, pro-European campaigner Femi Oluwole and anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray, with further names to be announced. 

Organisers expect the Rejoin march, which has become an major annual event, to draw  larger crowds for the referendum anniversary. 

Lord Kinnock said: “After 10 years everyone knows that Brexit has been an unmitigated economic and political  disaster with higher inflation, flattened wages and underfunded public services. 

"And increasingly people know that.  If anything else had inflicted this much harm on our country the demand for change would be  irresistible. 

"We demand as common sense patriots that it does end. That is why we welcome the Government’s efforts to reset the relationship with the EU. It's  an essential step to trust and normality. 

"But we have to work to rejoin and restore economic strength and political influence on our future. 

"It won't be easy or quick. But it is essential in the national interest. 

"That's what 'taking back control' means now."

Peter Corr, co-founder of the National Rejoin March, said: "In the world as it is now, being so dangerous, it's so important we remember why the EU exists. 

"It's based on the simple idea that if countries are tied together in economics, trade and politics, it's very unlikely they would ever go to war with each other again. 

"The peace  project was a response to the Second World War and has been successful to this day. We must bring it back together now." 

Ceira Sergeant of National Rejoin March Youth said: "I think it is more important than ever to send a positive message of unity and hope for the future. 

"Young people want something to believe in and as someone who was too young to vote in the 2016 referendum, I want my voice to be heard. 

"We want to be a part of the European family." 

Richard Corbett, march speaker and last leader of the Labour group in the European  Parliament, said: “Brexit bears no resemblance to what Farage and Johnson promised, and a growing majority of voters feel that it was a mistake. It’s time to rectify that mistake!“ 

Sally Dodgson, march speaker and YouTuber and Podcaster, said: "Ten years after the vote, four years after the full exit, we are right on the precipice of a new referendum. 

"We must push forward. Together we are stronger." 

The official route map and full event information are available at marchforrejoin.co.uk/nrmiv
 

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