So, were leaving the EU apparently?

So it turns out that the UK voted out of the EU this morning....and im shocked.

I never really had an opinion on much in the way of politics before this but this morning, im finding myself thinking that in England particularly. that every other person that I know or every other person I just see on their way to work is a leave voter. Until yesterday, I hadnt heard of Brexit, didnt know what it was. and I dont regret distancing myself from the politics of the thing as I had already decided that you know what? I like being European, I love Europe, I love the people, the culture, the countries I have visited and I never want to make anyone who is not from the UK, feel alienated being here. Some of my closest friends are from non-UK european countries. I think being part of europe is a great thing. A peaceful thing. A prosperous thing.

Im worried now for my future, and the future of the next generation particularly of scientists. Walking around my department there are probably 50% 'european' names on the office doors for Prof. this and Dr. that...I cant imagine how they must feel today. Think about the nuclear industry, who owns all of our nuclear power stations?? EDF. Who funds  HUGE CHUNK of our science? European research councils. Where are the major fusion projects for the huge society wide energy problem? France, Switzerland. What happens to our fundamental science projects such as CERN? Goes without saying. The UK is an island, we cant produce all of our own power, create as many scientists as we need, provide the resources for them to do their work which may be groundbreaking. What would you say if on the one hand, you had the EU and the fees and faff that it causes, and in the other, finding a cure for cancer 10 years earlier which may save the lives of someone in your family?

Im also really worried for my own ass selfishly, but its hard not to be. The people that have voted out are statistically speaking older than me, and probably conservative/ukip voters too. Just stats say that, its not an opinion. But, these people are already nearing retirement or whatever with their agreements in place, homes bought and largely paid for, family raised or whatever else. I've still to do these things. There is likely to be no provision for any kind of pension when I get to retirement age in any case. and im sure that this will be made worse by the leave vote. If I was to buy a house in the market, should this vote trigger a recession or something, where interest rates are very unstable and im likely to lose money or interest rates get really high etc. Given this, how would I possibly expect to do anything like this? Those who already have this, have thrown my opportunity to do the same into some unknown spiral.

Granted, it might turn out better for the UK and it might be prosperous but its feel as though nobody really knows what to do ...... its like the puppy that caught the squirrel, now youve got it, what are you going to do with it?!

Fundamentally as well, im not sure if he had a choice but what was Cameron thinking giving this to the public to decide in the first place? Surely a better plan would have been to get on and run the country properly in its current state, rather than shake it up further - get it working first, and THEN consider any changes. Thats what scientists would do. Change one variable at a time, and assess its effects as you go.

Interestingly, im waiting on how the SNP responds to this....id you a pint that another independence vote is on the cards.....

Food for thought....and in the meantime, it makes me sad, I love the idea of being part of wider europe and having been a fair bit, I love it out there and I just hope that nobody here now feels like they are unwelcome or isolated. To those people, come round for a brew, and we can contemplate the moronic behaviour of this country together :D