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Brexit would be “a disaster for UK science” warn 150 fellows from Royal Society

Friday, March 11th 2016 - 05:29 UTC
Full article 27 comments

Stephen Hawking has called for Britain to stay in the EU, saying that a Brexit would be a “disaster for UK science”. A letter to the Times newspaper signed by more than 150 fellows of the Royal Society argues that leaving the EU would devastate research. Read full article

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  • Britworker

    This article, like most, describes the case for staying in with a small adendum for a counter case at the bottom.
    We currently have no voice at all in the EU, they just want our money and the world don't want the money markets upsetting by us leaving.

    Mar 11th, 2016 - 10:31 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    They forgot to mention that the Sun will stop shining and the Moon will crash into the Earth too

    Mar 11th, 2016 - 12:19 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    A Few Defence and Security Thoughts on BREXIT
    http://www.thinkdefence.co.uk/2016/03/defence-security-thoughts-brexit/

    if one has a real interest, then one will take the time to read it.

    Stephen Hawking
    as brilliant as he may or may not be, is a scientist having more of an interest on Aliens rather than Europe,

    unless of course Stephen knows more abt these European politicians that he is letting on,
    perhaps he has info abt the euro body snatchers..

    Mar 11th, 2016 - 01:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Voice

    For every scientist there are ten thousand of the dregs that are also attracted from impoverished EU countries...
    Benefit tourists...
    Immigration in sovereign countries have points systems in place to ensure they don't get the dregs...

    Mar 11th, 2016 - 04:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Lucifer

    Surprised they somehow couldn't like it to Global Warming
    oh no wait
    Climate Change
    oh no wait

    Mar 11th, 2016 - 06:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    ,Brexit would be ,
    anything and everything the gormless Cameron and his devotees say it is,...

    Mar 11th, 2016 - 07:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    A disaster for funding and collaboration?

    Yet the UK collaborates with scientists from many countries, many of whom are NOT in the EU. So this is a blatantly inaccurate statement.

    As for funding...well perhaps if we weren't economically supporting the majority of countries in the EU, and paying their citizens benefits, then we could put more funding into science.

    This is what annoys me about the 'stay in' crowd. They are using 'scare' tactics, hoping to frighten people into voting to stay in the EU, but they have never ONCE stated what BENEFIT the ordinary UK citizen gets from being a member of the EU.

    If being in the EU is so great and beneficial, then surely you should be telling everyone this, you shouldn't need to try and scare people.

    But not ONCE I have heard anything from them that states it would be beneficial for the ordinary man or woman in the street to remain a member of the EU.

    Financially we wouldn't be worse off (really, we wouldn't be). All the money we flush down the EU toilet could be used to subsidise OUR farmers, fund OUR scientists, fund OUR artists, fund OUR infrastructure building projects.

    Also the UK imports MORE from the EU than we export to them. So does that mean the EU won't trade with the UK anymore? Or that they'd pile huge tariffs on? Well if they do they'd be hurting themselves far more than us, because lets face it, we can buy ANYTHING that the EU produces from Africa, South America, Asia, the Middle East, North America. So that's a non issue.

    As for immigration and security, the UK would have control over it all, and since our hands won't be tied by stupid EU legislation, it will be easier to kick out all the illegal economic migrants, and send them back to France where they would've come from.

    Finally, some in the City of London are 'worried' that they'd be forced out of international markets? How? The City has been around for hundreds of years, and the Euro is an unstable currency.

    So Brexit seems like a winner to me.

    Mar 12th, 2016 - 11:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    As much as I admire Hawking, he and the 150 'Fellows' owe their place and education in the main part to funding from the state.

    NO university loans to pay back for them!

    He is entitled to this very narrow view but the rest of us continue to pay exorbitant amounts to the dreadfully mismanaged EU and with our loss of sovereignty have no rights other than those 'given' to us by ex-commies.

    Vote LEAVE!

    Mar 12th, 2016 - 11:42 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Moderator

    Who cares whether the Brits stay or leave anyway?

    Mar 12th, 2016 - 02:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @ 9 'Retard Moo' (think about it, ha, ha, if you have a brain)

    The EU for a start and the yanks.

    Mar 12th, 2016 - 05:42 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    @ 9 'Retard Moo' (think about it, ha, ha, if you have a brain)

    The EU for a start and the yanks.

    Again,
    VOTE LEAVE

    Mar 12th, 2016 - 08:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Lucifer

    10. You think you're smart.
    But you're not.

    Mar 13th, 2016 - 01:05 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Moderator

    @10
    Nobody cares. Or maybe the continent's holiday resorts will like you to leave so they get rid (finally) of these hoards of drunken bums you call holiday makers.
    Or are you one of them?

    Mar 13th, 2016 - 12:04 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @ 12 Lucifer

    Do you want to change that post number before I reply?

    @ 13 Retard Moo

    So you are a retarded Kirchnerite then?

    You must be so lonely, except for the 15M other deadheads.

    Mar 13th, 2016 - 02:05 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    If we leave, democracy will survive,

    if we stay,
    sticks/stones/caves, sprint to mind.

    Mar 13th, 2016 - 08:21 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Moderator

    Well, leave, and don't come back

    Mar 14th, 2016 - 12:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • LEPRecon

    @16 Moderator

    Oooh, something appears to be bothering you? What is it?

    I mean you're not British so whether Britain stays or goes isn't going to affect you, yet you seem particularly upset about it, and about FREE people voicing their own, and often differing opinions upon the subject.

    Is it because your not allowed to voice an opinion in Argentina that doesn't follow the party line? Are you jealous that in the UK we can have a frank and honest debate about this?

    As for the continental holiday resorts, they'd fold if their governments were stupid enough to ban British holiday makers, especially in Spain where they have over 25% youth unemployment, and certain areas rely on tourists for their very survival.

    As for the 'British' louts, yes you get some (not as many as you obviously think), but then you also get German louts, French louts, American louts, in fact just about every country has young people who go out and have a good time, perhaps have a bit too much to drink, and then cause trouble.

    That isn't a uniquely British trait, it is a human trait.

    However, the British tourists also buy lots of local produce, especially wine, beer and spirits. Again without those British tourists these communities would struggle to survive.

    My personal opinion regarding the EU is to get out but that is mainly because the 'stay in' crowd haven't given ONE good reason as to why being a member of the EU is beneficial to the ordinary average UK citizen. Until they do, and until the stop with all the unsubstantiated 'scare' stories, I will remain firmly in the lets leave camp.

    Currently the polls are showing the 'stay in' numbers are slightly better than the 'leave' numbers, but then again the polls were amazingly wrong prior to the General Election, so we won't really know until after the referendum. It could actually be a big swing one way or the other.

    What I do know is the French, Germans and Yanks opening their big mouths aren't helping the stay in campaign at all.

    Mar 14th, 2016 - 04:34 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    WHY do the Yanks want us in the EU?

    I don't really think anybody but the closet Islamist does. Obumma is a dead duck, not even a lame quacker, and WTF cares what a closet Islamist says anyway?

    He does have his ever present ability to grate on peoples nerves given his abysmal track record AND of course he hates the Brits!

    Vote LEAVE!

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/eureferendum/12192893/Americans-would-never-accept-EU-restrictions-so-why-should-we.html

    Mar 14th, 2016 - 05:15 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    ,.This may well happen,
    Why stay when all you do is threating us,

    Mar 14th, 2016 - 08:20 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Moderator

    @17
    I am not from Argentina.

    About yr comments :
    Indeed Britsh “tourists” buy a lot of wine and beer. That is all they buy. The poor bums. Have any punch-ups on the ferry lately?

    In Europe ressorts we would be a lot better off if they stumbled to Blackpool instead.

    I am curious to detect any French louts in future. I havent seen any EVER.

    So vote LEAVE !!!!! Dont hesitate !!

    Mar 15th, 2016 - 12:26 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @17 LEPRECON

    So-called, “Scottish” troll identified, do you think ??

    http://youtu.be/GuPP-2Noy-c

    Mar 15th, 2016 - 05:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Agreed.

    Mar 15th, 2016 - 07:47 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @20 Modera-toro

    British tourists also own many holiday villas and condos, employ servants, local artisans and trades people.

    Mar 15th, 2016 - 11:13 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    The Argentinians may say,

    if we stay, can they have the carriers and type 45s,
    as we wont need them any more, being shackled to the Germans,

    they may say...lol

    Mar 16th, 2016 - 08:00 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Hepatia

    I believe that an exit of the UK from the EU would be in the US interest. If the UK was outside of the EU then its usefulness to the US would cease and it would be dropped as an 'ally'. And we should stop referring to the KSA as an ally as well. Both it and the UK are royalist theocracies which hold values which are antipathetic to American values.

    Another advantage to the UK leaving the EU is that it could hasten the US withdrawal from NATO.

    Mar 17th, 2016 - 03:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Troy Tempest

    @25 Hepatia

    Sounds like the rehearsed messages of RT and the Russian Troll factory.

    Mar 17th, 2016 - 02:25 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Briton

    Hepatia
    you will return in the next 25 years.

    Mar 17th, 2016 - 08:33 pm - Link - Report abuse 0

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