Have MPs read The Geek Manifesto?

Remember the Geek Manifesto? It's a great book by Mark Henderson that calls for a more evidence based approach to politics and decision making. I reviewed it last year, so I won't go on about it in any more detail now.

You might also remember that geeks from all over the UK sent a copy of the book to their Members of Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. 

Did the politicians read it? What did they thing of it? Has it made a difference? I thought it was about time we found out.  So I've just written a piece for the Guardian urging people to write to their MPs and AMs and get some feedback on the book.

When you get a response email (havetheyreadit.gmail.com) or tweet  (@sci_ents) me a copy of the MP's letter. I'll collate them (and make them freely available to everyone) then I'll get back to you with a summary of their responses.

If you want to join in then feel free to crib the letter I'm sending to my MP.

Dear Graham,

Last summer I sent you a copy of Mark Henderson’s book The Geek Manifesto, Why Science Matters. Every other Member of Parliament and the Welsh Assembly also received a copy, either from a constituent or Transworld books.

The book, as I’m sure you are aware, deals with the links between science and politics, how policy makers abuse evidence and how science could be managed to greater effect. It also suggests ways that more evidence based policy might be formulated. Plus it also calls on geeks everywhere to get involved in policy and to engage with their representatives by offering up their expertise.

I would very much like to know what our representatives thought of the book. Have you had time to read it? Did it strike a chord? Has it been a subject of discussion with your colleagues? How has it affected the way you formulate policy and your views of science/scientists?

You may also like to know that I have written a piece for the Guardian asking others to contact their MPs and AMs with similar questions. I intend to collate responses and report on them in a follow up piece in the Guardian.

This open letter will appear on by blog (www.t2ah.com) and I will also post a copy of your reply.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely

Mark Lorch

UPDATES:  
13 replies  
Unread: 7
Partially read: 3
Read it: 3

First reply in! From Justin Tomlinson MP.

Thank you for your email.

Yes I was sent a copy of the ‘Geek Manifesto’.  I am afraid I haven’t yet read it (I am sent several books a week from various campaign groups) however I have kept it to read as I get chance.

I believe Parliament would be better served with more people from a Science background, as we also need with many other professions.

Kind regards, Justin 

Tim Farron's read some of it, mainly before science debates.

Julian Huppert read it as soon as he got it.

Laurence Roberston writes: 

Thank you for your reply. No, I have not read the book. But I certainly agree with the concept that decision-making should be based on evidence and science.

Yours sincerely
Laurence Robertson 

UPDATE: 19th June 

Ben Bradshaw hasn't gotten around to reading it yet, but he supports evidence based policy.

Stephen Williams has it on his bookshelf but hasn't yet had time to read it. However one of his constituents points out that Stephen is one of the more scientifically literate MPs.

21st June:

How's this for a cracking response from David Davies. It starts out well but then when he got to a bit his disagreed with he put the book down (and I searched the book, but can't find the bit he's talking about). Then suggests that Mark Henderson (who he's confused with the Mr Watts, who wrote to him) isn't as open minded as he claims to be. Pots and kettles.

Dear Mr Watts

After getting your letter I decided to have a look at the Geeks manifesto and got me quite hooked. For a chapter or two.

The arguments were quite persuasive.

Then I saw your complete dismissal of global warming sceptics and I lost all interest in spending any further time reading it. You talk of the importance of scientists having an open mind but you yourself dismiss those who question the arguments around CO2 and the 0.8degree rise in temperature to 1997.

How very disappointing.

Regards David Davies

25th June: 
Two more replies, neither very positive.

From Caroline Lucus, Brighton's Green MP, via her aid.

I am afraid Caroline has not had the opportunity to read this book. She sends her apologies and hopes you will understand the numerous demands on her time. She'd like to try to read it but being realistic it's one of a big pile, so she cannot make any promises.

  And via Jim Sheridan's aid.

Mr Sheridan has asked me to thank you for your e-mail regarding Mark Henderson’s ‘The Geek Manifesto’.

I can confirm that Mr Sheridan did receive a copy of this book.  However, due to the large number of books, industry journals, reports, and other material received by our office on a weekly basis it is not possible for Mr Sheridan to read everything he receives.  Furthermore, Mr Sheridan’s role as a member of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee also necessitates that he read Committee briefing papers and other documentation ahead of each Committee session which limits his time to read other material.

Mr Sheridan has noted your interest in his reading of this book and will make every effort to find time to read it if possible.

26th June:
Eric Ollerenshaw hasn't read it all the way through, but found it most though provoking. He followed this with a detailed letter on Government spending and investment in science.

28th July: 
Jacob Rees-Mogg read and enjoyed it.

6th August:

A nice detailed review by Graham Stuart 

The Geek Manifesto is an emotionally charged call to reason. Mark Henderson is sure that science, scientists and scientific method could help our society make better decisions if only they took a more central role in how the country is run. Scathing about politicians in general and people like Alan Johnson and  George Bush in particular, his is a rallying call for scientists to get into politics and for politicians to be made to pay a higher price for abusing science. He says that “What politicians want is not evidence based policy, but policy based evidence.”

He is no less scathing about the Green movement’s irrational opposition to nuclear power and GM foods and launches impassioned attacks on “balance” in the media and homeopathy and all associated with it.

In a decision making world too ignorant of and careless with science, Henderson finds some geek heroes who have taken up the scientific cause and made politicians or corporations pay a price for their folly. It is these geek activists he wants to see more of, backed by a major groundswell of the scientifically minded who can effectively press for change.

The Geek Manifesto is an easy read as well as a call for action. Whether it succeeds in mobilising a scientific constituency remains to be seen. As one of the many MPs with little scientific education I can say that success for geeks would be a success for Britain. So, scientists, click online, join the political party of your choice and start the political scientific revolution.

19th August: 
Meg Hillier's copy may have got lost in the post.

Dear XXXX,

Thank you for contacting me with regards to Mark Henderson's book 'The Geek Manifesto: Why Science Matters'. I apologise for the delay in responding to  your email.

Unfortunately, I do not recall seeing a copy of this book, but it does sound like an interesting read.

I am glad you enjoyed reading the book, and thank you again for bringing it to my attention.

Yours Sincerely

Meg Hillier, MP