Good things we could lose

Joelsnan at the moment you see bright young people in universtities spearheading innovation. This will stop when they lose the grants they currently get from the EU. DD is involved in a relatively small field of research (she won't be impressed by that description!) and she is dealing with millions of euros in EU grants. Do you really think any of that money will be replaced by our government?

Deeda
This could be an ideal time for researchers.
The EU budget is going to be very tough, it is in deficit and the economy is slowing this may potentially result in a reduction in research funding.
As the UK leaves the EU the major drivers of the economy will be innovative goods and services derived from research and development therefore any 'sensible' government would recognise that this area requires adequate funding.
We have the manpower, the intellect, the buildings and technology.
My only hope is that we get a decent set of MPs soon who have more than one grain of sense between them.

Deeda
FYI
www.ukro.ac.uk/Documents/factsheet_brexit.pdf?pubdate=20180843

Joelsnan:
^^^I would imagine as a bright, intellegent (well some), generally environmentally aware country we may be able to make decisions quicker and unilaterally about environmental issues without trying to reach agreement from 27 other EU member states^.

The UK is not a particularly eco-friendly country. They lag behind several other EU countries. I don't know what impulse would suddenly change this and make us adopt a more environmentally friendly approach. After all, we can even clean up our litter-strewn streets.

Joelsnan. I doubt very much about that. This is typical we are the best thinking that only a Brit could do that. I think there have been MANY people, from m any countries who have contributed including Prince Charles in the 1970’s .

Correction my post 11:16: ..."we can't even..."

What has the EU done for you?

www.myeu.uk/?fbclid=IwAR0kHTC8sJIQUycyTs7zBp3aXj0dZ6skcmawTfPTMM0XM67jgw9qwuXjdAk

Last week, one of our British MEPs, Richard Ashworth, spoke about Brexit being a cautionary tale. He addressed young people all over Europe. His advice:

"Never take peace and prosperity for granted. Value it, fight for it and defend it every day".

www.facebook.com/EPPGroup/videos/1293325167510994/UzpfSTYwNDY0OTA4MjoxMDE1NzIyMTUwNDEzNDA4Mw/

Our top civil servant, Sir Mark Sedwill has written a 14 page letter to letter to ministers warning of the dangers of a No Deal Brexit- food up 10%, police unable to protect public, direct rule in Ulster, worse recession than 2008.

The Cabinet Secretary warned that leaving the EU without a deal could devastate the UK economy and force minister to impose direct rule on Northern Ireland.

He wrote: “We believe there would be significant disruption in the short term. Food prices would increase by up to 10 per cent with steeper rises in fresh produce prices.”

The top mandarin also warned a no-deal exit could lead to a UK-wide economic downturn, writing: "Unlike in 2008 our recession would be a local one, not an international one. This would make the currency depreciation more harmful."

He went on: "Our national security would be disrupted.

“The UK would forfeit access to criminal justice levers. None of our mitigation measure would give the UK the same security capabilities as our current ones.

“A no-deal exit would enormously increase pressure on our law and security authorities and on our judicial system. The UK would be less safe as a result of this.”

www.politicshome.com/news/uk/foreign-affairs/brexit/news/102999/uks-top-civil-servant-issues-stark-no-deal-brexit-warning

Project Fear all over again how predictable.

As the passenger on the Titanic said about the iceberg

Yes quizqueen the whole of Scotland and not just a small prtion of our income at that !

Reading all this makes me very sad. No one listening to anyone else, common sense out the window. Why?

Firecracker, I assume that you make your comment based on your years of experience as a trade negotiator, or an employee of the WTO, or a specialist in International Law, or a top economist, or even as a top flight civil servant.

Because if you don't, your opinion is, with respect, worthless.

I don't agree with Firecracker's dismisal of the worries people have as "Project Fear".

However, to say that her views are "worthless" because only those who have a professional role relating to trade and international affairs should be listened to is, I think, rather rude.

I doubt that all Gransnetters are, based on that criteria, qualified to express any opinion - whether pro or anti the EU. None of us can foresee the future but most of us have a view as to what might happen

Personally speaking, though, I am very worried about a no deal. Our government and our Prime Minister have already demonstrated their incompetence, both in the EU negotiations and in debilitating our country in so many other ways - but many Gransnetters have also expressed quite strongly the view that Labour is worse or not much better (I don't include myself in that view). Several people have spoken of not voting again because there is no party they believe to be trustworthy or capable. Given that the British public appears to have so little faith in our political institutions, what makes some of them have so much faith in them sorting out the very time-consuming business of forging new economic partnerships and negotiating new and extremely complex trading arrangements?

Some people have a very simple trust in our leaders to negotiate wonderful trade, rebuild the economy, feed the nation, spearhead research and development, patrol the borders etc. Because we’re British and somehow superior to everyone else. Others tend to believe the present bunch are more interested in deregulation, tax cuts and feathering their nests.

If this brexit nonsense is not stopped there will be so much damage done to our country that no-one will ever again trust our politicians.

However, to say that her views are "worthless" because only those who have a professional role relating to trade and international affairs should be listened to is, I think, rather rude.

I see where you're coming from, Eloethan, but unless one has the expertise, or, can bring expert opinion in, to counter an argument, then such assertions as 'project fear' are valueless. I like to know why it's Project fear.

"Project fear" is nothing but a meaningless slogan used by those who want to break up a union to dismiss any expert opinion about the likely consequenses.