Most of you in the UK are no doubt painfully aware of our impending referendum on EU membership - if not, then I'd quite like to join you beneath the rock you've been living under. In spite of the heavy referendum fatigue setting in (the PEM will be brutal), this is a huge decision and I would like to outline what I perceive to be the possible consequences of a UK exit on people with ME. In doing so I will make the case that the UK should remain in the EU.
1. State funding
The tide is turning in the long-fought battle for real scientific investigation into ME. We are finally beginning to accumulate enough solid evidence to make good applications to large research grants. The UK has some of the best universities in the world and the EU is a bountiful source of research funding. Leaving the EU would cut those universities off from that considerable stream of finance, and I sincerely doubt the current UK government would rush to fill the void. This is a critical concern for UK academia as a whole, and has been actively voiced by a large group of UK scientists headed by Professor Stephen Hawking. (I would like to hear the opinion of @Jonathan Edwards on this point).
2. Charitable funding
Economic organisations are falling over themselves to outline the risk of a UK exit. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicts the UK economy will shrink by nearly 1.5%, Ireland by 1.25% (sorry, Ireland), Europe by 1% and 0.5% worldwide. In times of economic recession, charities tend to take a hit, but right now we need every penny we can get. (State funding would also suffer here).
3. Workplace rights
Many of our workplace rights are enshrined in EU law. For those of us who are currently working (or hope to), there is a serious concern that the neoliberal puritanism of Boris et al - or even of George and Dave if they keep their jobs (ha) - could make the workplace a much less friendly place, particularly to those managing chronic illness. Four weeks guaranteed paid holiday is under threat, as is self-certification for short-term sickness. It may be the case that these rights remain intact, but it is a risk nonetheless.
4. The NHS
It has been a complete failure for ME so far, but the fact remains that the NHS is one of the best healthcare organisations in the world and free healthcare to all is a jewel in the crown of British society. The head of the NHS has outlined the considerable risk of a UK exit from the EU for the NHS, as tens of thousands of NHS staff are EU migrants. Some say EU migrants are a huge burden on the NHS, however "EU migrants are here to work" (a recent quote from Iain Duncan Smith, I kid you not) and are thus healthy taxpayers (broadly speaking). They are contributing to the NHS, not causing its demise.
I am very severely sick and I have needed a carer to help me pull this together. As such, I probably won't be able to join a lively discussion. If this generates debate I simply ask that we acknowledge that there are valid arguments on both sides of this issue once you sift through all the misinformation, and I implore you all to retain a respectful air not seen in our nation's leaders.
Registration for voting closes on June 7th and takes two minutes. Postal voting is already closed but the sicker amongst us can vote by proxy.
The polls are on a knife-edge. Your vote matters.
1. State funding
The tide is turning in the long-fought battle for real scientific investigation into ME. We are finally beginning to accumulate enough solid evidence to make good applications to large research grants. The UK has some of the best universities in the world and the EU is a bountiful source of research funding. Leaving the EU would cut those universities off from that considerable stream of finance, and I sincerely doubt the current UK government would rush to fill the void. This is a critical concern for UK academia as a whole, and has been actively voiced by a large group of UK scientists headed by Professor Stephen Hawking. (I would like to hear the opinion of @Jonathan Edwards on this point).
2. Charitable funding
Economic organisations are falling over themselves to outline the risk of a UK exit. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) predicts the UK economy will shrink by nearly 1.5%, Ireland by 1.25% (sorry, Ireland), Europe by 1% and 0.5% worldwide. In times of economic recession, charities tend to take a hit, but right now we need every penny we can get. (State funding would also suffer here).
3. Workplace rights
Many of our workplace rights are enshrined in EU law. For those of us who are currently working (or hope to), there is a serious concern that the neoliberal puritanism of Boris et al - or even of George and Dave if they keep their jobs (ha) - could make the workplace a much less friendly place, particularly to those managing chronic illness. Four weeks guaranteed paid holiday is under threat, as is self-certification for short-term sickness. It may be the case that these rights remain intact, but it is a risk nonetheless.
4. The NHS
It has been a complete failure for ME so far, but the fact remains that the NHS is one of the best healthcare organisations in the world and free healthcare to all is a jewel in the crown of British society. The head of the NHS has outlined the considerable risk of a UK exit from the EU for the NHS, as tens of thousands of NHS staff are EU migrants. Some say EU migrants are a huge burden on the NHS, however "EU migrants are here to work" (a recent quote from Iain Duncan Smith, I kid you not) and are thus healthy taxpayers (broadly speaking). They are contributing to the NHS, not causing its demise.
I am very severely sick and I have needed a carer to help me pull this together. As such, I probably won't be able to join a lively discussion. If this generates debate I simply ask that we acknowledge that there are valid arguments on both sides of this issue once you sift through all the misinformation, and I implore you all to retain a respectful air not seen in our nation's leaders.
Registration for voting closes on June 7th and takes two minutes. Postal voting is already closed but the sicker amongst us can vote by proxy.
The polls are on a knife-edge. Your vote matters.