Independent studies

I was looking for some independent sources of information on Brexit - trying to cut through the fog of soundbites, glib opinions and misdirection from too many of our newspapers, politicians and dyed-in-the-wool supporters of one side or another. [link removed] does anyone have any other good independent (and unbiased) information sources?

Re: Independent studies

Full Facts, Reality Check. You gov,

Re: Independent studies

Thanks itsme. I had also linked to the "Institute for Government" website which has a good set of Explainer sheets on various issues such as the Common Agricultural Policy, but as a newbie poster I hadn't realised web links were discouraged.

Re: Independent studies

You will be lucky to find any unbiased articles on brexit.

You'll see a lot of confirmation bias on both sides though... just bear in mind a lot of the media receive funding from the EU in return for favourable reporting. I think the BBC gets around 2.5 million a year.

Re: Independent studies

As most of the predictions etc are just that no facts just predictions it's going to be impossible to find unbiased sources I'd think. Also a lot of reasons and ideals are about feelings and how we want to be governed so very hard to be unbiased about.

Re: Independent studies

Here's an independent source. Just a few pointers from someone who lives in Holland:


Roger Humphries
14 December at 21:08


Earlier today I asked the question " Would you vote Remain or Leave now you know more about the EU?" and a friend of mine Eddy Lonergan posted this comment .... I've typed it out word for word as I believe that everybody, needs to know whats really happening in Europe by somebody who has lived in Holland for almost the past 4 decades,

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS REGARDLESS OF WHAT SIDE OF THE BREXIT FENCE YOU FIND YOURSELF BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT EVERYBODY SHOULD KNOW WHATS NOT BEING GIVEN NEWS COVERAGE .....

Eddy Lonergan's own words ... not mine

"I wish the Brits would take the time to see whats going on here Roger. ... I'm a scouser living in Holland getting on 40 years now. .... It is just as bad, in some ways worse than in the UK. For example, Health Insurance is compulsory whether working or unemployed. My wife and I pay 250 euros per month and that is basic, no dentals, physios or extras. 2 major hospitals have shut down - there are no beds - the A&E is the same as the UK, families are asked to look after their parents because of shortages in Care.

The immigration problem is a laughing stock, food banks are noT coping, people in work are not making ends meet and are relying on food banks. .... Belgium, Germany and France have the same problems. Angela Merkel is stepping down as Prime Minister (Chancellor) but has forgot to tell everyone she has a secure high position in Brussels. .... Why would you want to be a member of a gang of pocket-filling thieves who do not care about their people? ... As for Junker ... don't get me started ....

The EU countries are crumbling and no f*cker gives a"dangle-doo-dandy", so GET OUT while you can and maybe others will follow suit". .... They are scaring and flexing their muscles and hoping that it will turn around, because the membership fee the UK puts in every year will have to be put up by the remaining countries. .... Holland will have to double their fee we've been told. ... What other countries can afford this?

Spain, Greece, Italy all bankrupt, so you see the EU does not want to lose the UK and will bully any way to try to win it over by threatening the Northern Ireland deal, the fishing deal, giving back Gibraltar and whatever else they can get their grubby hands on, so don't be fooled, it's not a bed of roses, things are bad here and like I said, in some matters its worse.

The riots in France are not just about fuel tax, its about living standards. .... Belgium and Holland have also taken up the baton with the Yellow Jacket Demonstrators because they're tired of it. .... Take the time to find out yourselves, then you will be glad of Brexit, and like I've said, with sense, holland will follow suit" ....

PLEASE SHARE AND MAKE THIS GO VIRAL .... Roger Humphries

Re: Independent studies

Yep, totally unbiased, this source. 18 million more here, and this is one of the extremes. Sound like he is in league with Geert Wilders.

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Why did people vote for Geert Wilders ?

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The same reasons as why brits vote for BNP.

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I take the point about confirmation bias Bread. But the BBC are quite open about where they get their funding, and there is no way that it is "in return for favourable reporting". On the contrary, they seem to fall over themselves to give equal time to differing views as they need to demonstrate impartiality in reporting as part of their licence condition. Their news service in particular is ring-fenced from any external funding.

I agree with you Julie1962 that there's no "absolute truth" out there, particularly when it comes to forecasts. Having said that, there are a lot of organisations genuinely trying to come up with factual analysis and economic forecasts, whose professional reputations rely on them being impartial and realistic. If we look at enough of these sources, I'm sure we'll get closer to the truth than we will from soundbites and newspaper headlines.