The University of Sunderland welcomed BBC Breakfast’s famous red sofa this week as the popular morning show arrived at National Glass Centre. Vice Chancellor of the University, Sir David Bell, was a guest on the programme which aired from the NGC on a day of political fallout.
It was a morning of debate and review as host John Maguire talked Brexit, business and the future of the PM just hours after she survived a vote of no confidence in her leadership of the Conservative Party.
The broadcast also provided a platform to show off the University’s facilities and National Glass Centre as the sun rose over the Wear.
The University featured throughout the morning as guests, including University of Sunderland students, were asked for views on the cancellation of the parliamentary vote on the PM’s Brexit agreement with the EU.
Sir David Bell said: “While I was a Remain voter, I respected – and continue to respect – the result of the referendum. Like the vast majority voters, both leavers and remainers, I suspect – I would like to see an end to uncertainty and clarity about our country’s future.
“From universities’ perspective, we will want the UK to continue to be an attractive destination for EU students and staff, and others from overseas.
“We will also want to find ways of continuing to participate in EU-funded research projects, as well as allowing students and staff to continue to undertake exchange visits in the smooth way that happens presently.
“These matters will be subject to further negotiation but a good outcome will benefit the UK in a post-Brexit world.”
As part of the programme host John Maguire talked a little about Sunderland’s shipbuilding heritage and the history of glassmaking in the city, while demonstrations of glassblowing at NGC’s Hot Glass Studio also featured.
A selection of guests, from both inside and outside the University, featured during the course of the morning as the future of the UK’s relationship with the EU remains unclear.
Theresa May won a vote of confidence in her leadership of the Conservative Party by 200 to 117 on Wednesday.
After securing 63% of the total vote, she is now immune from a leadership challenge for a year.
The secret ballot was triggered by 48 of her MPs angry at her Brexit policy, which they say betrays the 2016 referendum result.