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The Lib Dems were delighted at the news, causing Brexiteers to pause for thought, with the pro-EU party saying it\u2019s a \u201cpositive step forward. It\u2019s about time\u201d.<\/p>\n
They also demanded the government now look at signing up to other EU schemes, further watering down Britain\u2019s post-Brexit independence.<\/p>\n
This afternoon, leading Brexiteer Lord Frost has played down allegations Britain\u2019s re-entry is a \u201cpost Brexit shift\u201d in relations between the bloc and the UK Government.<\/p>\n
Lord Frost points out it was his team who tried negotiating entry in 2020, only for the EU to block Britain.<\/p>\n
He issued a warning to No. 10 that the deal must be better than previous membership requirements, and must make up for us \u201chaving been excluded for nearly three years\u201d.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n A senior source from the hardline Brexit group of Tory MPs, the ERG, also warned the EU will now be able to hold Britain\u2019s membership of Horizon \u201chostage\u201d if the UK Government ever tries enacting policies the EU doesn\u2019t agree with.<\/p>\n They told the Express: \u201cIt was already agreed that the UK would be able to join in the UK’s trade agreement. Yet the EU locked us out of it for three years due to an unrelated dispute regarding Northern Ireland\u201d.<\/p>\n “The EU has therefore already demonstrated that they are prepared to hold the UK’s participation hostage as leverage to pursue their other interests.<\/p>\n “Why would they not do it again? The danger is the UK will now have to comply with the EU’s interests across the whole range of subjects from fishing to finance, or the EU will lock us out and mobilise a ready made claque of UK academics who will go up in arms demanding the UK surrenders.\u201d<\/p>\n They added there is also \u201cserious concern\u201d over whether membership of Horizon represents value for money.<\/p>\n Brexiteers will also be concerned at the EU\u2019s own Horizon manifesto, which sets out the programme isn\u2019t just about science funding but \u201c[boosting] the EU\u2019s competitiveness and growth]\u201d.<\/p>\n It remains to be seen whether British taxpayers and scientists will now also work towards that goal.<\/p>\n
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