The scenario which now looks plausible is this: the UK heads for a hard Brexit completely cutting ties with the EU, and turns itself into a low-tax, low-standards economy, destroying decades of law building up environmental protection.

We can't simply sit back and assume vital protections for healthy air, clean beaches and precious wildlife will remain in place. / It’s often said at green-tinged events that no-one in the Brexit referendum voted for a poorer environment. What they’re saying - correctly - is that there’s no public mandate for lower environmental standards.

From the ‘red-tape’ slashing desires of the Brexiters to the judgment of green professionals, all indications are for weaker environmental protections.

A report published today with the respected WWF, RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts makes a considered case for EU membership and finds that - on balance- we should vote to remain in a reformed European Union. To put it simply, we need to be part of the pack if we're going to have a say on the big, environmental matters.

In the face of “no deal” environmental aims are made more challenging. Stephanie Hilborne, The Wildlife Trusts' Chief Executive, explains the effects it could have on the natural world.

Scientists say we have five years to change course on climate change. The next European parliament term is five years – they are a matter of life and death.

Brexiters are often accused of living in the past. That is manifest in the now recurring Brexiter response to concerns about Brexit: ‘but we did perfectly well before’.