Brexit Day events in Oxford tonight

Today the city council is flying the European Union flag, and will fly the flags of the five EU twin cities on consecutive days next week, as a mark of the commitment to remaining an international and diverse city in the UK’s post-EU future. There will also be a vigil.

Oxford’s EU twin cities are: Bonn in Germany, Grenoble in France, Leiden in the Netherlands, Padua in Italy and Wrocław in Poland.

READ AGAIN: Latest results from court

Lord Mayor of Oxford Craig Simmons will next month visit Bonn, Leiden and Wroclaw to reinforce friendship links post-Brexit.

Brigitta Poppe-Reiners, District Mayor of Bonn, said: “Bonn is proud of its 73-year partnership with Oxford. It so far is one of the oldest town twinning between England and Germany. We look back on many shared experiences and look forward to numerous friendships between Oxford and Bonn. The relationship that this partnership created after the years of World War Two will continue in the aftermath of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union.”

The Brexit Party’s Roger Carter, who contested the Oxford East seat at the general election last month, earlier described the vigil as a ‘sad’ farewell.

READ AGAIN: Cyclist died after being struck from behind

He said: "Brexit should in no way damage these well-established twinning links - there is nothing to stop people working together."

Tonight there will be a series of events in the city to mark the UK leaving the European Union.

The event organisers are Oxford for Europe, Oxford European Association and European Movement (Oxford Region).

Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds and Will Hutton, Principal of Hertford College, will speak at 6.45pm at a candle-lit vigil outside the town hall.

Then there will be a series of speakers at a town hall event at 7.30pm which is now fully booked.

After the meeting, local musicians Horns of Plenty will march to Bonn Square, ahead the final lights ceremony from 10.45pm.

READ MORE: Fight to save unsafe village church after closure

City council leader Susan Brown said: “Oxford was a strongly Remain city, with over 70 per cent of people voting to stay in the EU, so today is a day many hoped to avoid. But it’s important to remember those that voted to leave too, and to make sure we work together to build a positive future here in the city.

“We’re flying the flags of our EU twin cities as a symbol of our ongoing ties, a sign of friendship and cooperation for our futures.

“Our twin cities provide our people and economy with a head start in building new post-Brexit links in Europe, and we will be working hard to develop stronger, deeper connections for the future of the city in Europe.”

READ MORE: Oxford to Cambridge rail link moves a step closer

Éric Piolle, Mayor of Grenoble, said: “The strong ties that unite Oxford and Grenoble are precious. We shall keep them growing!”

Henri Lenferink, Burgomaster of Leiden, said: “I am proud of the ties that Oxford and Leiden have had since 1946.

“This makes it one of the oldest city links in the world.”

The Mayor of Padua, Sergio Giordani, said: "Our twinning with Oxford remains more solid than ever, and the Brexit will certainly not interrupt a path of collaboration between two very similar cities in many respects, first of all that of openness to the world, international relations and dialogue.

"A strong bond that also involves our two universities, both with centuries of history and international prestige.

"Beyond the reasons that have led the United Kingdom to leave the European Union, I am convinced that, as Queen Elizabeth also said, 'diversity is a strength, not a threat'.

"I assure Oxford friends that our bonds and collaborations will continue to grow in the future."

Mr Simmons said he would be travelling to the twin cities by train 'in keeping with his aim to reduce carbon emissions.

He added: "I want our European twin towns to know that Oxford is still the same outward-facing, international city that it always has been. EU citizens will always be welcome here."