Teignbridge supporters joined more than 2,500 people to march against Brexit last Saturday, March 24.

Remain campaigners from across the South West joined a march and rally in Exeter City Centre, organised by Devon for Europe.

Alex Pilkington, Chair of Devon for Europe, said: ‘With the government’s own impact assessments showing unprecedented damage to the economy, the prospect of further de-funding of the NHS and with heightened tension with Russia and Trump’s tariff war, more and more people are coming to the conclusion that Brexit will be very bad for Britain.

‘The South West is set to pay a heavy price. As a region we have the highest percentage of exports to the EU compared to the rest of the UK. We firmly believe democracy is an ongoing process and that in a democracy people must be given the right to change their minds.

‘Especially now that the promises of the Leave campaign have been shown to be empty and false. The British people must have a final say on the negotiated Brexit deal, with the option to remain in the EU.’

More than 500 new supporters signed up to the Devon for Europe group during the march and rally.

Several high profile speakers spoke at the rally in Princesshay.

Ben Bradshaw, Labour MP for Exeter, was the first on stage.

He said: ‘I’m delighted to be joining people of many other parties and none, united in our view that Brexit is turning out to be a serious mistake for our country and that the British public must be given a say on the terms of any deal.

‘It is much more expensive, complicated and difficult than people were told during the referendum and the promises made then broken or forgotten. We must think of the next generation’s future, as we reach vital decisions over the next few months.’

MEP Molly Scott Cato told the crowd: ‘Each time a promise cannot be fulfilled the Brextremists blame our EU friends, driving us further apart and making a tolerable Brexit less likely.

‘It is becoming clearer by the day that Brexit is all pain for no gain. We must resist - leaving the EU is not a done deal.

‘This rally will demonstrate the strength of opposition to the government’s extreme Brexit plans and will serve as a reminder that our democracy allows us to change our minds. We must have another chance to consider the future of this country.

‘It’s time to campaign for a people’s poll on the final deal so everyone, and most specifically a young generation who weren’t able to vote in the EU referendum, can have a say on whether they want to accept the deal the government has negotiated, or remain as fully-fledged members of the EU.’

Devon County Cllr Martin Shaw said: ‘I was elected because people were concerned about our local NHS, but the economic damage Brexit is causing will cut the money available for the health service. It has already cut off the flow of European nurses and doctors to hospitals in the South West.

‘Brexit has damaged our reputation as an open, tolerant country and diminished our standing in the world.’

Farmers Cheryl Cottle Hunkin and Margaret Boyde reminded the rally that the National Farmers Union had advised its members to vote in favour of remaining in the EU.

Cheryl said she feared a non-agreement, resulting in sky-high World Trade Organisation tariffs, including a possible 59 per cent on the export of beef to the EU. She said added customs checks would create more red tape, not less.

Margaret added that farmers need to be anxious about their support payments, as they were only guaranteed until 2020. And amongst her many other worries was the possibility of US food coming to Britain, having been raised with much lower welfare standards, so resulting in ‘chlorinated chicken’ being imported.

Sir Graham Watson, former Lib Dem MEP, was the last to speak at the rally.

He said: ‘We have a hell of a job to be done. Everyone must write to their MPs, attend street stalls and do everything they can. We have 24 weeks to stop Brexit.

‘In the referendum, the British people were sold a pig in a poke. We now need a referendum on the final deal.’