While I sit here writing this article there are thousands of chemical reactions happening within my body. As I hit the letters on my keypad, electricity flows down a series of nerves which is then in scripted and translated by the computer programme. Furthermore, my eyes are scanning the screen and processing what I see sending messages to my brain. Science and technology surrounds us all, it defines the human and natural world – but politicians treat it like it is minority interest. Few speeches are made and minimal discussions are carried out. Why is this, when science is so pivotal to society?

With a low percentage of the general public employed in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), it may not be a surprise that members of parliament, who aim to represent their constituents, are not active in promoting this area. The fact that only 14 per cent ^[1] of MPs have an active background or interest in STEM actively compounds this problem, with the world advancing technically at an ever increasing rate. The United Kingdom runs the risk of being left behind in the modern day technical revolution, a revolution we so proudly led only a few decades ago. Now we are seen as the birthplace of concepts and ideas that are developed by other nations. We have the power in our hands to change this, and put STEM back in the forefront, yet politicians do not see this as important.

Large areas of the north have been waiting for the last 20 years for this new industry. Decisions made by politicians on green technology will give thousands of people careers and protect the environment at the same time – improving our society.

This technical revolution we started has led to probably to the greatest shift in power for generations. In 2015 anyone regardless of age, sex and social background can access and endless amount of information at a fingertip. This has levelled the playing field. However, with this power has come great responsibility. Endless amount of data is up in the cloud that companies can sell on without the user’s consent. This is a hotly contested issue within the internet community but still is hardly spoken about within parliament.

We live in an increasingly ageing population due to the evolution of the science world creating astonishing new treatments and theories, and there are multiple companies that work to provide new products and services that can extend the life of people. However, most struggle to find a way into the NHS due to endless bureaucracy and dwindling financial support which is a debate for another time.

We in the Labour party firmly believe in the view that everyone deserves equal economic opportunities and political rights. It is my belief that science and technology play a fundamental part in the growth of economic and political equality. We need to open up and talk about this, as science is facing some of its hugest political problems, since 2010 the UK science budget has in real terms dropped to less than 0.5 per cent of GDP. This is below all other G8 nations, so we have to address this and do it now.

With the impending EU referendum there has never been a clearer time to shout about the virtues of science, considering the massive risk to scientific funding that might happen.

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Daniel Mayhew is a member of Progress

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1. http://www.sciencecouncil.org/content/20-uk-workforce-depends-science-skills-do-their-jobs

Photo: Argonne