Scientists for Labour want to ensure evidence-based policymaking is at the heart of future government
Labour scientists are calling on the new party leadership to set up a cabinet-level shadow minister for science and innovation.
In an open letter published following the election of Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Angela Rayner as deputy leader, the Scientists for Labour campaign group said science and engineering were “at the heart of both our economy and our society, as evidenced by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic”.
“In these difficult times we must ensure that evidence-based policymaking is the focus of the government, and that evidence-based questioning is the focus of the opposition,” the letter said.
“This requires that expert opinion is effectively fed into the Labour Party’s decisions, and hence that there is a clear point of contact for shadow cabinet engagement with both the scientific and engineering communities. The appointment of a cabinet-level shadow minister for science and innovation would thus be both pertinent and welcome.”
Labour science ministers have not attended cabinet since Gordon Brown was prime minister, when Paul Drayson served as minister of state for science and innovation between October 2008 and May 2010.
Newcastle upon Tyne Central MP and chartered engineer Chi Onwurah has been shadow minister for industrial strategy, science and innovation since October 2016. However, it is unclear whether she will remain in the role.