Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/699546
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 3 JULY 2016 News Thousands 'march for Europe' in anti-Brexit protest OVER 40,000 people have taken to the streets of London in a pro-EU demonstration. Demonstrators for the 'March for Europe' event, organised in the wake of the UK's decision to leave the European Union, met at Park Lane at 11am before walking to Parliament Square. Protestors chanted "EU, we love you", waved EU flags and held aloft placards with slogans such as "Hope not hate", "Breverse" and "Parliament use your sovereignty to save the UK from this crisis". The event was organised by co- median and satirist Mark Thomas to address his "anger, frustration and need to do something". "We would accept the result of the referendum if it was fought on a level playing field. But it was full of misinformation and people need to do something with their frustration," he said. Another of the event organisers Keiran MacDermott said protes- tors hoped to stop the government from triggering Article 50. At the end of the two-mile route, protestors gathered outside Parlia- ment to listen to speakers includ- ing Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy, leftwing activist Owen Jones, and musician Bob Geldof. Geldof urged Remain campaign- ers to take to the streets, and work to stop the UK's exit from the EU. "We need to individually or- ganise ourselves. Organise those around us and do everything pos- sible within our individual power to stop this country from being totally destroyed," he said. Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron, who has pledged to fight to remain in the EU, attended the protest. "It's OUR future. We want to stay together in Europe!" he tweeted. Farron has said that people are joining his party at a rate of one a minute following his EU pledge, including people who voted Leave but were appalled "by the econom- ic and political chaos that has fol- lowed, as well as the broken prom- ises of Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, and Nigel Farage." Maltese have strong pro-EU convictions WHILE doubts are being raised about the EU's future following the Brexit referendum, a survey has indicated strong pro-EU senti- ment amongst Maltese citizens. Indeed, 93% of Maltese respond- ents to a Eurobarometer survey agreed with the statement "what brings the citizens of different EU member states together is more important than what separates them", a higher percentage than in any other EU country. The survey was carried out in April, before the UK voted to leave the European Union. But 42% of Maltese said that the EU is not doing enough to fight unemployment, the lowest rate in Europe, while 79% said it could in- tervene more to create jobs. 47% said that EU action against tax fraud is insufficient, again the lowest rate in Europe, while 80% said EU can intervene more to clamp down on tax fraudsters – the fifth highest rate in Europe. 41% disagreed with the EU's cur- rent defence and security policies, the fourth lowest rate in Europe, while 74% said that the EU can do more, the fourth highest rate. Only 26% of Maltese think that the EU's health and social security policies are insufficient, the low- est rate in Europe, with 69% saying that the EU can intervene more. The EU's economic policy is only deemed insufficient by 26% of lo- cal respondents, the second lowest in the union, with 62% stating that the EU can step up its game. On environmental protection, 33% of Maltese think that current EU action is insufficient, the sec- ond lowest in Europe, while 72% believe that the EU can intervene more. The trend breaks slightly where migration is concerned – with 64% stating that the EU is not doing enough (close to the EU average of 66%) but 87% then insisting that it could do more, the second highest rate in Europe behind Cyprus. The Corporate and Business package from Banif Bank offers me a banking experience based on high quality service and a strong relationship built on trust. I can benefit from a differentiated service based upon customer-centricity given by a team of professional bankers. My Corporate Relationship Manager will visit me on a regular basis with the objective of better understanding my business operations and assessing my banking requirements. SERVICE EXCELLENCE SERVICE EXCELLENCE BUSINESS CENTRES St. Julian's: Level 1, 125-126, Main Street Paola: Level 1, 90, Pjazza Antoine De Paule Mosta: Level 1, 12, Constitution Street +356 2260 1000 banif.com.mt f l Banif Bank (Malta) plc Terms and conditions apply. Facilities are subject to the Bank's lending criteria. Banif Bank (Malta) plc is a credit institution licensed to undertake the business of banking by the MFSA in terms of the Banking Act 1994 and is a member of the Depositor Compensation Scheme established under the Depositor Compensation Scheme Regulations (Legal notice 385 of 2015). Registered in Malta C41030 – 203, Level 2, Rue D'Argens, Gzira, GZR 1368, Malta.