One important factor is missing from your Editorial on batting for science in the current UK economic climate (Nature 463, 402; 2010): the need for scientists to engage more fully in the political arena, and, in particular, to stand for public office. Many new members of the UK Parliament after the 1997 general election had a scientific or medical background.

I am not suggesting a correlation between the large number of scientifically literate people in the House of Commons and the expansion in UK science budgets after 1997. But an ability to understand the nature of science and scientific methodologies could help our elected representatives to avoid ill-advised funding decisions. This would be particularly true in a government that is not so dominated by a single political party, and in which the views of individual members might therefore count for more. Following the election that is expected this year, an audit of the scientific credentials of the new batch of Honourable Members might therefore be instructive.