When I spoke at yesterday's march, I realised this was the kind of politics we'd all been desperately waiting for

With parliament entangled in bitter infighting, and our political system breaking before our eyes, the Brexit march was inclusive, diverse and unifying

“This is about them. Never forget that.”

Lord Heseltine had just finished a barnstorming speech, in front of thousands of people in Parliament Square when he gestured to myself, and 30 other young activists from For our Future’s Sake (FFS) and Our Future Our Choice – the two youth movements which at the forefront of People’s Vote campaign.

The cheers from the crowds rose to a crescendo once more.

“During my lifetime, the younger generation wouldn’t be on this stage, they’d be fighting in the trenches. We must never let that happen again.”

Sharing a stage with a former deputy prime minister, is not what your average 20-something would expect from their weekend. But then, it had been been far from a normal Saturday.

Weekend mornings and I aren’t usually on good terms – we’ve maintained a frosty silence since my late teens. But this Saturday, I was happy to be awake. I had somewhere to be: the Put It To The People march.

I joined activists from FFS, at the designated meeting point. Reunions were had, friendships made and vitally, T-shirts and placards distributed.

While there were a lot of people around, it felt calm.

Suddenly, we began to move towards the front of the march, MPs and celebrities mingled with activists. A trickle turned into a tidal wave.

For those who have never been on a demonstration before, it’s the noise that hits you first. The bands, the helicopters and the chanting. The deafening bustle of a million shouted conversations. That never changes.

But the Put it to the People march was different.

A genuine sense of optimism and hope pervaded the crowd. By sheer force of our numbers and passion, we could change, if not the world, then at least the future of the country.

Young people and students from all four corners of the United Kingdom descended upon parliament to let them know that this generation demands a Final Say on Brexit.

“Youth” was the word on the tip of the tongue of every speaker. Young people were prominent in every picture; we dominated social media.

The amount of grandparents, parents and children, who came together is worth noting too; the call for a People’s Vote had become a family affair.

So we marched.

As the road opened before us, we slowed as we entered Parliament Square.

My heart rate however, began to rise. It was nearly time to speak.

As I walked on stage, I felt strangely calm. Joined by FFS’ Rania Ramli, and the brilliant Lara Spirit and Femi Oluwole from OFOC, there was no one I’d rather share a stage with.

Young people and students really were fighting for their future’s sake.

With parliament entangled in bitter infighting, and our political system breaking before our eyes, the Put It To The People march showed a different kind of politics. Inclusive, diverse and unifying.

As I said, only yesterday: “We know this mess can’t be fixed inside parliament, but by force of people outside.”

And with a million people on the streets of London, we really are a force to be reckoned with.