Brexit: thousands turn out for #stopthecoup protests across UK – live

Liberal Democrat Stephen Williams, a former MP for Bristol West, told protesters in the city: “Democracy is never a one-off event, whether it is a referendum or an election.

“All he [Boris Johnson] cares about is being in power himself and being in power for his class of people so they can be the people who rule over us. We must stand up to that.

“What Johnson has done is wipe out most of the September calendar, wipe out most of the October calendar, leaving them with about four days to make the most important decision of any of our lifetimes and the most important decision that this 650 people will ever have to make.

“That is worthy of North Korea, not Great Britain.”

Here are a selection of images from today’s protests across the country

Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West, told protesters in the city that people should take to the streets to demonstrate against the prime minister and not allow “democracy to die”.

He added: “Thank-you to the thousands of you that have marched through the streets of Bristol and across the country to make it clear we will not stand down when our democracy is being shut down.

“We are members of Parliament and Parliament is where we should be making your voice heard loud and clear, with the power of our vote and the ability to hold the government to account.

“If Boris Johnson thinks he can turn Britain into an autocracy, he has got another think coming.

“If the prime minister is able to close down Parliament, we need to be able to bring it to the streets because we are your voice in Parliament and our democracy is about all of us.

“What is clear from all of you today, and in towns and cities up and down the country, is that the British people will not let democracy die.”

Speaking in Glasgow’s George Square, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “I’m proud to be here with all of you supporting that, to say to Boris Johnson no way, it’s our Parliament.

“No way do you take us out without a deal – we will stop you and give the people their rights and their say to determine their future.”

He said he is backing the protests all over the country, adding: “Demonstrations are taking place everywhere because people are angered and outraged about what is happening.

“Angered that the government and a prime minister elected by 93,000 members of the Tory party is trying to hijack the needs, aims and aspirations of 65 million people.

“Well think on Boris, it’s not on and we’re not having it.”

Chris McHugh, 33, who works for Labour MP Liz Twist and was demonstrating in Newcastle, said the protest is about “protecting democracy”.

He added: “The fact that thousands have taken to the streets of Newcastle today is so telling.”

Anti-Brexit campaign group Another Europe Is Possible has called for daily demonstrations.

Alena Ivanova, from the group, said: “Today’s protests are the beginning of something huge – they have been inspiring, full of youth and diversity and energy.”

She added the daily protests must “grow into the millions” in “the centre of every town in the country”.

From my colleague Simon Murphy at the demo in London