Chemistry and elections in the devolved governments

With elections in Scotland and Wales only weeks away we take a look at what the Royal Society of Chemistry is doing to raise the profile of chemistry at Holyrood and the Senedd. 

The countdown to national elections in Scotland and Wales is on and we have been stepping up our campaigning. Against the backdrop of the pandemic the impact of the chemical sciences has rarely been more visible. We want to see parliamentarians in Scotland and Wales putting science at the heart of their work over the next term, and need your help to get the word out. 

What is the Royal Society of Chemistry doing? 

We have recently launched our manifesto campaigns in Scotland and Wales, calling on candidates to be science champions if elected to parliament. In our manifesto’s we highlight some of the important areas future MSPs, MSs, and the respective Governments can support including the importance of funding great science, developing a skilled science workforce, putting chemistry at the centre of sustainability, and delivering extensive science education. 

You can read our manifestos here: 

We are also working with other likeminded organisations to host science hustings events in Scotland and Wales. These will give the chemistry community in the two nations the opportunity to ask candidates from across the political parties how they will champion science if elected and what they will do to push science priorities up the policy agenda. 

How can I get involved? 

There are two great ways to get involved and raise your voice ahead of the elections. First, you can attend a hustings event and asks questions that matter to you. The events are open to the public and links to sign up are below. 

Wales Science Hustings Event – 8 April, 17:00 to 18:30 

Scotland Hustings Event – 13 April, 17:00 to 18:30 

Secondly, you can take part in the manifesto campaign by writing to your local candidates through our simple campaign platform. It as easy as filling in some simple details and an email will go to your local candidates asking them to support our manifesto and be a science champion in parliament.  

We need as many science champions as possible at Holyrood and the Senedd and by taking part in campaigns like this you help to raise the profile of the Royal Society of Chemistry and the work done by the chemistry community in Scotland and Wales. You can join the campaign by following these links: 

 

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