Lord Frost gives update on UK’s participation in Horizon Europe
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The poll, which ran from 10am on Thursday, February 10 to 1pm on Saturday, February 12, saw a staggering response from Express.co.uk readers. More than 10,000 votes were cast in total across the two questions posed, and the results send a clear message to policymakers.
The first question posed was: “Do you think the UK should press ahead and launch a Five Eyes science project?”
A total of 5,499 responses were logged, with a whopping 91 percent voting yes. Just eight percent voted no, and two percent said they didn’t know.
Second, the poll asked: “Do you think the UK should push to rejoin the Horizon Europe project?”
A total of 5,460 votes were cast, with an overwhelming 95 percent voting no. Just four percent said yes, and one percent said they didn’t know.
Writing in the comments section below the poll, respondents shared a range of opinions on the matter.
Username Williamneilson wrote: “The UK joining Horizon would be fiscal insanity,” and another, username svarkatt, wrote: “It’s time to explore the wider world out there.”
Username Norfolkbump said: “In the interests of self-sufficiency and sticking with our traditional allies who have a good track record and don’t throw their toys out of the pram in a flash, I would dump the EU and pursue other projects with people who can be trusted.”
Others agreed with the scientific community that the EU should stop politicising the decision to keep the UK and Switzerland out of the programme.
Username Dave155x wrote: “British scientists are some of the best in the world and world knowledge should be shared freely.
“If the European Union want to ban certain countries then it will only harm themselves in the future.
“The world should sideline the Brussels bullies until they realise they don’t hold all the cards.”
And another, username Dickiebird said: “Five Eyes Is the way forward as they are mainly trusted allies, unlike the EU.
“We should also team up with Switzerland as they are also being punished by the EU and have a great science capability.”
Others felt the money could perhaps be better directed elsewhere.
Username Burstone274 wrote: “Spend the money in the UK and improve our scientific infrastructure and educational abilities!
The row over the science programme ramped up last week when hundreds of scientists — many from within the EU — added their names to the Stick to Science campaign which calls on the bloc to put aside “political barriers that have nothing to do with science”.
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Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship €95.5 billion (£79.4 billion) programme was designed to “tackle climate change, helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth” using an “open science policy” where all members share publications and research immediately.
In the Brexit deal, the UK and EU agreed on a mutual commitment to the UK joining Horizon Europe — but more than a year later, this has yet to happen.
Switzerland is facing a similar issue, with Swiss researchers reportedly shut out of parts of the programme after a dispute surrounding overdue payments from Switzerland to EU cohesion programmes.
The Stick to Science campaign accuses the EU of “putting political disputes ahead of science collaboration”.
According to estimates, If the UK and Switzerland joined the programme as associate members, their contributions would add an estimated €17billion (£14billion) to Horizon Europe’s budget.
But the UK is planning its own venture in absence of Horizon Europe.
UK Science Secretary George Freeman told the Financial Times: “If our association [with Horizon] continues to be blocked, we cannot allow UK science to suffer through EU politics.
“So, I am developing a £6billion Global Britain Science Plan.”
He added, however, that the UK’s preferred option would be to join the Horizon programme.
He said: “Our position remains that we want to associate. Hopefully, perhaps after the French elections and the resolution of various issues still being discussed around Brexit, association will be possible.”
And Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng told the UK’s Science and Technology Committee on Wednesday that Britain was ready to go “full steam ahead” with setting up its own pioneering science programme.
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