AKIPRESS.COM - On June 23, the UK will vote in a referendum to decide whether it wants to remain part of the economic bloc after joining it more than 40 years ago. Those who want to leave say that it will give the British government the chance to rule on its terms. Others say that staying in the EU brings immense economic and social benefits.

According to Stephen Hawking, Brexit will harm United Kingdom Science, Albany Daily Star said.

In the letter, the scientists argued that science was vital for Britain’s long-term prosperity and that membership of the EU had increased funding of science and allowed the country to recruit talented researchers from continental Europe.

Stephen Hawking is supported in his opinion by the Astronomer Royal and three Nobel laureates, all agreeing that “any threat to the freedom of movement” could end up having catastrophic effects on Britain’s research field.

In an open letter published in The Times, the group wrote about how many of the greatest researchers come from continental Europe, including the youngest ones who have moved there after obtaining various EU grants.

The membership also allows free movement of talented scientists and their European grants to come in to the UK. “If the UK leaves the EU… it will be a disaster for UK science and universities,” they write.

“We now recruit many of our best researchers from continental Europe, including younger ones who have obtained EU grants and have chosen to move with them here. Being able to attract and fund the most talented Europeans assures the future of British science and also encourages the best scientists elsewhere to come here,” the signatories, who include three Nobel laureates, wrote in the letter published Thursday.

More than 1,600 fellows and foreign members make up the Royal Society, Britain’s most prominent scientific institution. The news made headlines after Michael Gove, MP and British Conservative politician, was at the center of the EU row, leaking some information that the Queen might be in favor of the UK leaving the EU.

British citizens are due to vote on June 23 on whether to remain in the 28-member bloc. Although opinion polls have consistently shown that the pro-EU campaign is slightly ahead, in recent months, its lead over the “vote leave” campaign has narrowed.

Science is vital to the health of the UK economy. Were the UK to seek freedom from the EU, it would be science which would be hit the hardest. All the extra funding of scientists that is possible thanks to grants and packages coming from the EU would be stopped leading to a case of a scientific desert. Also the cross-pollination of ideas would not be there anymore since continental scientists will not be employed by the UK government.