All we can hope is that the impact of Brexit if there is a hard-nosed departure from the EU will not dent the economy of the south coast with its ambitions and array of technology and scientific businesses.
The region has the requirements to grow, except that at the moment there is a shortage of prime accommodation. That can be put right and, indeed, there are now substantial speculative schemes. The airports show the way with their growth in both international services and business space.
MAG is ensuring that Bournemouth performs up to its potential as a business hub and now the Solent Airport/Faraday Business Park offer the potential for a large amount of new industrial space.
The mood is right as is the emphasis on key industries of marine and aviation together with advanced manufacturing. These are where the UK’s future lies and the south coast is in a favourable position to grow in that direction.
There is also the expansion of professional firms such as law and accountancy in city centres that will underpin the office market, but they have to be able to find the right type of space.
The ambitions become more pertinent with the arrival of a combined Solent Authority that could properly coordinate investment and infrastructure spending. A light rail or tram system mooted in the past now makes sense.
So let us hope that the politicians as they negotiate Brexit understand that the wrong deal (and that looks a distinct possibility at the moment) will not just damage the poorer parts of the UK but hit places like the south coast where they are moving in the right direction.