Vote for science policies
Ahead of the General Election, science spokespeople from the six major political parties in the UK have provided interviews about their future policies.
The British Science Association (BSA) conducted series of interviews with the representatives from the Conservative Party, Green Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, Plaid Cymru and Scottish National Party (SNP). Each spokesman explained what changes their party will implement if in charge of science after the election on 7th May.
Chief Executive of the BSA, Imran Khan said: “For too long science has not featured in the General Election debate and any discussions that have taken place are between politicians and professional scientists. Science affects everyone in the UK and our series of interviews ask leading politicians to think of the impact their policies have on voters.”
Greg Clark – current Minister of Science, Universities and Cities and representative of the Conservative Party – believes that science goes beyond any particular parliament and that the most important thing is to have a strong consensus in favour of science.
Clark said: “When it comes to the record of my party in government, I think what you’ve seen is science more strongly recognised as being at the heart of policymaking – backed by investment – than ever before.”
The Green Party representative – Councillor James Abbott – repeated the party’s promise to double the government’s investment in research and development, while Liam Byrne – Labour Party spokesman – announced that the public should expect big changes in scientific investment, institutions and people.
For the Liberal Democrats, Dr Julian Huppert, said that science can be protected by more cross-party work. “We have to work with the other parties, and so far none of the others have been prepared to sign up to that,” said Dr Huppert.
Plaid Cymru representative – Hywel Williams – believes that science could help answer questions about sustainability, production of energy and agriculture.
For the SNP, Dr Alasdair Allan said: “We think it will be an interesting election from Scotland’s point of view. We don’t take anything for granted, but I think for the first time in a very long time, Scotland’s 59 MPs may be in a position of some influence. We want to use that influence for the benefit of Scotland but we also want to play a progressive, constructive role in how the UK’s future develops.”
New policies from the major UK political parties
Click on the links to see the interviews about the parties' future policies
- Increase in science investment – both in infrastructure and in people.
- Protect the science investment.
- Reinforce science institutions.
- Encourage the next generation of scientists by increasing loan oppurtunities.
- Double the government’s budget on research and development (at least 1% of GDP).
- Cancel university tuition fees.
- University tuition fees cut.
- Protect the University system.
- Stronger relationship with Europe.
- Build technical educational system by creating new apprenticeships, emphasise on STEM subjects and create technical degrees.
- Ensure that science is protected by cross-party work.
- Encourage public engagement by opening up science.
- Support for research.
- Use science to develop sustainability, production of energy and agriculture.
- Provide more support for university students of STEM subjects who remain in Wales.
- Put more effort into exploiting Scotland’s renewable energy potential.
- Maintain no tuition fees policy for Scottish students.
- Create more opportunities in apprenticeships.
- Continue changes in the education system.
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