Doncaster pro-Europe group to host Euro-themed #ThankEU party on Brexit day

Members of EU grassroots campaign group Best For Doncaster will gather on January 31 – the date of Britain’s departure from the European Union – for a party with European food, drink and music.

And Doncaster’s three MPs – Ed Miliband, Rosie Winterton and Nick Fletcher - have been invited to attend the event, which will take place at an undisclosed town centre location.

The party is to say thank you to the remaining 27 EU countries and their citizens for what they describe as ‘the many ways in which they have enriched our lives.’

The group have issued an open invitation to all who wish to celebrate the EU and its citizens to join them at the party, and have expressed a particular desire to welcome EU citizens.

Those who wish to attend are asked to register for the free event, which will take place between 8.30 and 11pm so they can be contacted with venue details at www.bit.ly/ThankEUParty

“Leaving the EU represents a huge loss for the UK and for Doncaster, but rather than retreat into sadness, we want to mark January 31 by thanking the EU and its citizens for enriching our lives for so long,” said group chair, Frederika Roberts.

“I am an EU27 citizen myself - Italian and German - and obtained British citizenship last year to protect my status as a result of Brexit, so I understand first-hand the difficulties faced by EU citizens at the moment, the risks posed by ‘settled status’, and how deeply entwined the lives of EU27 citizens are with those of British citizens, through families, friendships and careers weaved together over decades.

“These bonds will not be broken by Brexit and our party is a recognition of the strength and importance of those bonds.

“Moving forward after January 31, our group will still have an important role to play in our communities, holding the government to account on the many promises they have made. We will continue to campaign for what is best for Doncaster.”

11pm on January 31 is the actual point Britain will no longer be an EU member.