Dozens of young activists call for people's vote on Brexit

By Rick Goodman, Press Association

More than 150 young protesters have descended on the Houses of Parliament to call for a people's vote on Brexit and show politicians they value being European Union citizens.

They travelled from across the UK and filled the House of Commons lobby on Tuesday, requesting in droves to speak with their local MPs.

The demonstration, organised by youth movement Our Future, Our Choice (OFOC), was aimed at making the Government hear about the ways Brexit could hurt young people.

"It's not about reversing the result of the first referendum. It's about having a reasonable debate on the benefits of EU membership," said Nat Shaughnessy, a University College London student and OFOC organiser.

"We feel like young people should be at the front of that, given we have to live with it the longest."

Mr Shaughnessy, 22, said OFOC had produced a report that found Brexit would be financially and socially damaging to young people.

"The best possible Brexit scenario is going to cost us about £20,000 in lost income by 2050," he said.

"But on top of that it's more about the direction in which the country is going. A lot of us feel European and identify as European.

"We have the right currently to live, work and study in 28 other countries. That European citizenship, which we value and has been part of our lives for so long, is going to be taken away from us."

The group brought to the protest a blue "battle bus" emblazoned with the message: "77% of us don't want Brexit - stand up for our future."