Patrick Vallance Appointed UK Science Minister, Refuses Tory Government Role
Patrick Vallance, who became a familiar face during the COVID-19 pandemic as the UK’s chief scientific adviser, has been appointed the new Science Minister under Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Following his party’s decisive victory in the July 4th general election, this decision comes as Starmer continues to place experts, rather than traditional politicians, into crucial government roles.
Now a Labour minister, Vallance played a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s response to the COVID-19 crisis. However, he recently clarified that he would not have accepted a ministerial position under a Conservative government. When asked if he would have considered serving in Rishi Sunak’s Tory administration, Vallance responded firmly: “I wouldn’t have done, no.”
Explaining his stance, Lord Vallance noted the inherent difference between serving as a civil servant, which he was willing to do under any government and taking on a ministerial role that requires a political affiliation. “As a minister, you’re part of a political system, and that adds a layer of complexity,” he stated, highlighting that such a role differs from the impartiality expected in civil service.
His appointment as Science Minister also coincided with reopening the recruitment process for a new chief executive of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the country’s largest public research funder with an annual budget of £9 billion. Vallance emphasized the importance of the role, setting expectations that the new leader should focus on transforming UKRI, particularly by directing funds into research aligned with the government’s goals, such as economic growth and clean energy initiatives.
Vallance reflected on his time during the pandemic, revealing past frustrations with the government’s approach to integrating science into policy-making. His main concern was the lack of a robust mechanism to incorporate scientific and technological insights into all areas of governance. He believes that UKRI’s new head should be capable of uniting different disciplines and sectors to foster innovation and drive impactful research.
The new UKRI chief, who will succeed Prof Dame Ottoline Leyser in June 2025, is expected to lead a broad portfolio and encourage collaboration across various fields. Vallance stressed the importance of cross-disciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, viewing UKRI as a key institution for bringing together diverse expertise to solve complex problems.
As Vallance steps into his new role, he will focus on ensuring that science and technology are at the heart of the UK’s policy-making, contributing to the country’s ambitions of becoming a global leader in innovation and sustainable development.
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