Scientists in government
Politicians in Northern Ireland have moved into government from very different professional backgrounds but how important is a background in science? Emma Blee asks.
With just two doctors and five engineers representing their professions at Stormont, it is clear the transition from science to politics isn’t a popular one.
Knowledge of science has become politically important in recent years with policy being formulated on climate change and supporting the economy through innovation. These topics demand that politicians know the right questions to ask, and whom to ask them. There is also a need for politicians to understand advances in technology.
MLAs and MPs in Northern Ireland have professional experience in farming, property, teaching, and even professional tennis, but there are very few with a scientific background or expertise.
MP and former civil engineer Naomi Long believes that training in science and rational thinking could be of benefit in the political arena.
She comments that having people in politics who have an understanding of science and technology is becoming “increasing important”.
“Being able to understand the issue and objectively assess the potential impact of those developments is helped by having a technical background,” she says.
Winston Churchill held the view that that scientists “should be on tap but not on top”. His thinking was that scientists should inform politics but they must allow politicians to decide on policy based on social, economic and ethical principles.
However, Long claims that her background in engineering has influenced how she approaches her work: “I always try to have a robust evidence base for the decisions that I am required to take.” She adds that throughout her political career, she is influenced more by the weight of supporting facts and evidence on an issue, rather than the persuasiveness of the person who is arguing the case.
Long also believes that her rational thinking means she approaches problems with a view to finding practical solutions, “a skill that is as relevant to politics as engineering”.
Alasdair McDonnell, GP and politician, also agrees that it is important to have rational thinking politicians: “Science permeates everything we do. Health, for example, uses up half of the total public expenditure budget. It is useful and important to practically know how the health system operates in order to understand and recognise both the strengths and weaknesses in the system.”
Science and engineering can also be of direct, practical use when dealing with constituency issues, according to Long. Her experience was a big advantage during the flooding in East Belfast last year: “In my own case, being a civil engineer was incredibly useful during the floods. I understood the constraints within which the agencies responding to the flooding were working, but was also able to challenge effectively where the problem was not being adequately addressed.”
