The political declaration is a non binding all-things-to-all-men deal, warm words written to look as if every possible option is open to us. But within days of publication we can see how empty it is. On space, the PD in paragraph 107, says, "The Parties should consider appropriate arrangements for cooperation on space." First impressions would seem to imply we would be negotiating to continue with the EU's Galileo satellite system.
ITV (HERE) say:
"Prime Minister Theresa May confirmed the UK will instead aim to build
its own Global Navigation Satellite System, at a cost estimated by
independent experts at £3-£5 billion".
"UK contractors were told they would be locked out of work on the highly
sensitive Galileo project following the 2016 vote for Brexit, when the
European Commission decided that only businesses from EU countries can
take part".
The Independent (HERE) cover the story and quote Dominic Grieve MP and former Attorney General who said:
“This news will leave most Britons lost. Brexit was supposed to increase our strength and influence, yet
here we are pulling out of a key project of great importance to our
national security. To compound this disaster, we will have to pay out
billions to replace the project.”
This was also cited as one of the reasons for the resignation yesterday of Sam Gimyah (HERE) former Universities and Science minister at the Department of Education.
Plus, an expert on the BBC this morning added the permanent £1 billion a
year running costs and the cost of frequent upgrades. Suddenly the £10
billion a year we pay to the EU looks like a bargain doesn't it?
