Pro-EU campaigners were out in force at London Fields over the weekend as part of a city-wide day of protest against leaving the single market.
Last Saturday (8 October) volunteers from East London for Europe collected over 500 signatures on a petition calling for the British government to remain in the single market.
Led by pressure group Open Britain, the campaign is looking to encourage a close relationship the EU following Brexit.
Open Britain’s field manager David Gwyther, who was at the East London event, said: “Just because we voted leave, doesn’t mean that the Leave side can do whatever they want – We still have to hold them to account.”
Placing an emphasis on the single market, Gwyther added: “Until they (the government) find a suitable alternative , leaving would be disastrous – These are people’s jobs at stake!”
“Even people that voted leave didn’t vote to lose their jobs, they didn’t vote to be poorer, they didn’t vote for a recession.”
However, whether the EU would be willing to allow Britain access to the single market remains uncertain, with Gwyther expecting tough negotiations.
“I think we need to get off our pedestal thinking that we’re Great Britain and everyone’s going to give us what we want.”
Stefan Hyeman of East London for Europe, said: “People are worried about the tone the government is taking, particularly in terms of immigration”.
“There are quite a lot of people who are European citizens [but]call London their home as much as we do.”
East London for Europe will continue to campaign over the coming weeks, and hope to deliver a petition to Downing Street by the end of the year.
Journalist, current MA Newspaper Journalism student at City University.