Anti-Brexit party launches in UK, aiming for the centre of a ‘nation divided’ and inspired by Macron’s success in France

A new anti-Brexit party was launched in London Monday, lacking any big names but vowing to revitalise the centre ground of British politics, inspired by French President Emmanuel Macron’s En Marche movement.

Renew is one of several new initiatives by pro-European Union campaigners, hoping to capitalise on uncertainty over Brexit to pressure politicians into stopping the process.

The party’s goal is to be “the vehicle for people who feel politically homeless”, said James Clarke, one of three co-leaders.

The ruling Conservatives and opposition Labour Party both back Britain’s withdrawal from the EU in March 2019, while the smaller pro-European Liberal Democrats have failed to capitalise on anti-Brexit sentiment.

Renew said it had received informal advice about how to proceed from En Marche (On the Move), French President Emmanuel Macron’s upstart centrist party which came from nowhere to sweep to victory last year.

“Mr Macron showed that it was possible to do something extraordinary in a short amount of time,” Clarke said.