User:Bobbledavidson/Scientists for Labour

Origins

Scientists for Labour (SfL) was started in 1994 at a time when science funding in the UK was considered dangerously low and this problem attributed to the long running Conservative government. It is one of the Socialist Societies officially affiliated to the Labour Party.

Patrons

For many years, Scientists for Labour's sole patron was Lord Sainsbury of Turville, but in 2015 he was joined in this role by Gordon Brown

Activities

Due to their affiliation with the Labour Party, SfL focuses its activities on lobbying that political party rather than public campaigns and petitions aimed at the current government. Historically, they have strong links with the ministers for science and universities within the Labour Party, holding meetings with Liam Byrne for example.

Recently SfL launched a non-partisan group called Scientists for EU aimed at a new model of public engagement, with a single purpose of raising the voice of scientists, technologists and researchers in the run up to the promised referendum on UK membership of the EU.