A NEW campaign group has launched in the Forest to confront one of the most politically charged issues facing Britain.

Forest of Dean for Europe (FDE) is a branch of Glostays, a cross-party group made up of county residents campaigning for the UK to stay in the European Union (EU) and calling for a People’s Vote on membership of the EU.

The group held its inaugural meeting in Mitcheldean on Friday, April 26, and took to the streets of Newent on the same day for its first street stall campaign.

FDE chair, John Taylerson, said: “The group brings together pro-Europe campaigners from across the Forest, from Woolaston to Newent, and from St Briavels to Newnham. Many like us have come to the conclusion that more than three years of Brexit debating has got nowhere.

“Hundreds of thousands of young people with their whole future before them deserve to have a say in that future. Many Leave voters have changed their minds after learning more about the true impact of Brexit on the economy and the threats to the NHS.

“We deserve to have an informed say on such a momentous decision.”

Membership secretary Jane Heylings, from Mitcheldean, added: “We are the newest baby in the Gloucestershire family of groups for Europe and we have a great extended family ready to support and encourage us.

“And we are the tip of the iceberg of all the Remainers in the Forest of Dean – it’s great to meet others who also feel strongly, and who will together find a voice to put our point of view.

“The momentum of this group in the Forest is building. We already have 21 paid-up members and 79 supporters on our emailing list.

“There are talented and experienced people from all walks of life and from across the political parties and others who are not party political, all of which underlines our non-party agenda.

“The group emerged after campaigners met on a coach taking them to the ‘Put It To The People’ march in London last month.

“This is so important. It’s amazing that there is so much momentum here in the Forest. In one month the group has developed from being a coach full of marchers to forming a group. It can only get louder and more significant.

“We were amazed by the immediately positive public response in Newent to the Forest campaigners’ call for people to make sure they have registered to vote and that they will vote for a pro-Europe party when the UK goes to the polls on May 23 for elections to the European Parliament.”