CAMPAIGNERS have taken to the streets to protest against Boris Johnson's decision to suspend Parliament in the run-up to Brexit deadline day.

Events have been organised up and down the country today in protest against what some Darlington campaigners believe is 'a catastrophe' for British democracy.

Mr Johnson announced his decision to prorogue Parliament on Wednesday which prompted an angry backlash from opponents of a no-deal Brexit.

The Northern Echo:

The Darlington rally on High Row

In Darlington, dozens of people gathered on High Row at lunchtime for a rally co-organised by Darlington Green councillor Matthew Snedker.

Addressing the crowd via megaphone, Mr Snedker said Mr Johnson's decision was setting 'a very dangerous precedent' and that MPs on all sides should be working together in the best interests of the country.

Tracy McGuire, president of the Darlington National Education Union, also addressed the crowd and afterwards told The Northern Echo that the suspension of Parliament was an affront to democracy.

She said: "He (Johnson) is an unelected Prime Minister with no mandate for a no deal and if he was that confident in getting through what he wanted to get through, why prorogue Parliament?

"He has prorogued Parliament because he isn't going to get through what he wants."

The Northern Echo:

Protestors in Darlington

Ms McGuire said the prospect of leaving the EU without a deal would be a 'catastrophe' for the country, leading to job losses and economic downturn.

She added: "The Government has got it on their own website that there are going to be medical shortages.

"That isn't scaremongering, it is fact; it is going to happen."

Darlington resident Robin Chambers said he was a lifelong Labour supporter but switched to the Liberal Democrats in the last MEP elections due to Jeremy Corbyn 'sitting on the fence' over Brexit for so long.

He said: "I think we are in troubled times and I do think it is a far right takeover that smacks of fascism and I can't just sit in my retirement and do nothing about it."

Fellow protestor Norman Webber of Darlington said: "The main thing, particularly with things like climate change and problems we have around the world, is that we want to be part of a larger body, to be able to have a strong voice about world situations.

"I just find it very sad that we have come together after the war and we have tried to do something about things together and now we are taking a step back."

The Northern Echo:

People's Parliament event in York

Protests also took place in other towns and cities across the region, including in Durham, Middlesbrough and Newcastle, as well as the country's largest protest in London.

Thousands took to the streets in York for a 'People's Parliament' event called by York Central MP Rachael Maskell who said: "Johnson's reckless decision has done more to unite the country than anything that's happened since 2016.

"It turns out the British people have their own red lines. Along with 'don't mess with our NHS', is 'don't play games with our democracy'."