Some good news for once.
Thank fucking god!
The UK research sector is one of the next biggest outside of the financial services sector.
Now, align standards, and get a fucking deal together with Norway over oil, offshore wind, and grid interconnectors or something that is mutually beneficial so that they don't veto entry into the EEA.
Get into the EEA, learn to take the rules that the multinational corporations and other 3rd countries do if they want to sell to the worlds 3rd largest market.
A lot of damage has already been done in terms of brain drain to the continent. I never got the impression that the Brexit gang understood it isn't just about money; it's about the ease of collaboration. As if British research, unique among the world, didn't derive benefit from collaboration.
I agree. The UK universities that act as major hubs for research and innovation are still around and still have a good reputation. The Brexit political forces have damaged the sector, but it's not dead and it can be fixed if talented international teams feel confident to invest their people in the UK to leverage the institutions we have.
I think that the Brexit gang had the idea that all modern UK innovation was being done by Brunel and Newton types: the myth of a single person who though sheer will bring forth technological & scientific disruption.
It's completely the wrong idea. Hopefully, when they see that showing commitment to international and Europe-wide collaboration brings back the top-talent they're so despite for, they'll swallow their misplaced pride.