EU referendum

The Duke of Wellington, Chairman of Council, and Professor Edward Byrne AC, President and Principal of King’s, wrote this letter in a personal capacity to the Editor of the Daily Telegraph. The Daily Telegraph published an edited version on 26 May 2016; the full version is below.

Sir

There are many reasons why the electorate should vote to remain on 23 June but our particular concern is the university sector. The United Kingdom has proportionately more universities in the top 100 in global league tables than any other country in the world.  Britain does higher education well.

Thriving universities in the UK have two qualities in common. We have been international to the core since our inception, and we are highly collaborative in our research endeavour.

EU membership allows us to recruit the brightest minds as staff and students from across the European Union, without protracted and costly visa processes.  Living and studying alongside European students is hugely beneficial to British students, broadening their perspectives. Twenty-eight percent of our academic staff come from the EU outside the UK.

To leave Europe would damage the strength and impact of the United Kingdom research base.  The problems facing society are ever-more global, not just national, challenges. EU membership makes it much easier to pool our data and scientific expertise and research with European counterparts to address pressing challenges.

A vote to leave carries the risk of undermining many crucial relationships with leading European research partners.  It would almost certainly damage the productivity and exports of the UK knowledge economy at a time when international connections have never been more vital.

And there is a further point.  Many university students who often live away from home may not vote on 23 June.  We urge students to register where they study, as is their right, or to apply for a postal vote from home.   The deadline to register is 7 June.

For British universities, a vote to remain is compelling. 

The Duke of Wellington, Chairman of Council, King’s College London

Professor Edward Byrne AC – President and Principal, King’s College London

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