Politician and journalist Boris Johnson visited the Royal Society of Chemistry at its London offices to get to know the world of UK chemical sciences.

The shadow education secretary spent time with senior management and lunched before looking briefly at the library.

The former editor of The Spectator is one of many politicians who find time to become familiar with the RSC, which is eager to urge on parties of all colours the need for more funding from central Government for universities so that science on campus remains free from cuts and that schools receive better funding, particularly for laboratories. 

The RSC maintains a parliamentary office which maintains day-to-day contact with both houses at Westminster, to ensure that MPs and ministers are kept abreast of the importance of chemistry to the nation's health and wealth and to answering some of the great challenges confronting the international community such as global warming and energy.