Updated 16th March, 8:30am: This story incorrectly identified Alex Hay. We regret the error.

With a divided parliament and thousands of protesters expected in London for the “Put It to The People March” on March 23, Jesmond’s Labour councillors and candidates are in support of extending Article 50 – and are say Jesmond residents support a second referendum.

The Labour team have been out speaking to residents four times a week and have detected increasing concern about Brexit as the deadline creeps ever closer, with no deal yet capable of getting through parliament.

Alex Hay, Labour candidate, said that residents’ concerns range from potential issues with pre-booked holidays to student visas and EU residents feeling unwelcome.

Hay told JesmondLocal: “Quite a large number of our residents are European, living here as students. There’s a lot of worry about that – will their student visas be revoked.

“I know a resident who is a French national who feels betrayed, feels unable to remain in Britain if we leave the EU, she will go back to France, so that’s how strongly its affecting people,” Hay said. “It’s heart-breaking to think people feel so let down that that want to leave.

“We talk to academics, doctors, nurses, and there’s huge concerns about who is going to teach their children, who is going to look after them when they fall ill.”

Although there has been huge support towards a second referendum from Jesmond residents, Hay admits not all residents are pro-remain, with one resident who has said if there was to be a second referendum, he will never vote again, in any election.

“I don’t think they can ignore the reasons why people voted to leave. I think we need to listen to those people, I don’t think they should just sweep those views under the carpet, I think that’s really important,” said Hay.

“I will be campaigning actively to remain in the European Union, not only because I have, and do, and always will believe that Britain is stronger as part of the EU, but also I believe it’s the majority view of those that I seek to represent as a local councillor.”

Labour councillor Stella Postlethwaite shared her views as part of a motion to lobby an extension to Article 50, to allow for a legally binding referendum to take place.

Cllr Postlethwaite said she was angry with the prime minister and her government for creating the situation that the country now finds itself in. “The public should be given the chance to respond to the deal that has been negotiated for them,” she said. “The option for the UK to remain in the EU must be given to the public. And in this second referendum, we must campaign to remain.”

Hay said, “I think we do need to have a final say on the prime minister’s deal or whatever deal is before them, if a deal is possible, or remain, because crashing out with no deal just risks our future.

“We do not know what will happen if there’s a second referendum, but I am relaying the opinions that I’ve had from Jesmond residents, which is that to leave the EU would be disastrous for this country. It’s not everybody’s opinion in Jesmond, but to not take that opportunity to ask the British public would, in my opinion, be a mistake.”