The new UK science minister is known as David “Two Brains” Willets by the UK media. This nick-name is primarily because he is supposed to have an enormous intellect (and perhaps a little to do with his large forehead…).
In many ways this appointment is good for science. Mr Willets is a senior and well known politician with a lot of experience. Being very clever is obviously an asset. And the new Prime Minister has made the science minister a “Minister of State” which basically means he is quite high profile, and science has not been swept away to be ignored in a quiet corner.
Mr Willets is regrettably not a scientist. He studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics, although many people are reportedly “impressed” by his grasp of scientific subjects.
His appointment has been welcomed by many in the scientific establishment, including the President of the Royal Society, Lord Martin Rees, who said Mr Willets was someone who had ”strong links to universities and a clear appreciation of the value of research”.
Let’s hope so. The new government is planning cuts of £6 billion over the next year. There are many who think science is an easy target, and certainly easier than education or health care.
And there are not many scientifically literate MPs for Mr Willets to look to for support. Only 71 MPs out of 650 have a science background. This shameful total is even lower than before the election when there were 86.
There is an emergency budget on 22nd June and there have been no pre-election promises regarding science funding. So fingers crossed that two brains is enough to save UK science from heavy funding cuts.
//Esther Crooks
