Hundreds march for democracy on the streets of Clitheroe.

Over 200 people took to the streets in Clitheroe on Saturday, protesting the suspension of Parliament.

People from all political groups – and none – gathered to vent their anger at Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue parliament for five weeks – a move which aims to prevent MPs from blocking a no-deal Brexit.

Parliament has already voted to veto leaving the EU without a deal. But as we move towards the October 31 deadline, it seems that Johnson will press ahead with a no deal Brexit against the express wishes of democratically-elected MPs.

“This is a direct attack on our democracy,” said Liberal Democrat Cllr Allan Knox, one of the leaders of the protest.

“Leavers in the referendum claimed that they wanted to preserve the sovereignty of parliament, yet we see a key vote leave campaigner, now prime minister, attack that sovereignty.

“This undemocratic move has enraged people across the political spectrum as shown by the numbers who turned up to defend democracy on this demonstration and across the country.”

Karl Barnsley, a vice chair of Ribble Valley Labour Party, who also helped organise the protest said: “Boris Johnson is a prime minister with no mandate, chosen to be Tory leader by a tiny minority of the electorate, with a parliamentary majority of one.

“Yet he is prepared to ride roughshod over our democratic traditions and drive Britain into a no-deal Brexit, putting us at the mercy of trade deals with Trump’s America. It’s time for a General Election.”

Chanting ”Stop the coup” and “Defend democracy” the protestors defied the rain to march from the market place and through town before rallying below the castle.