Global Britain needs UK science, Imperial Provost tells Conservative conference

Professor Ian Walmsley joined a panel to discuss Government’s plans for ‘global Britain’ at the Conservative Party conference.

Professor Ian Walmsley says science has a crucial role in the government's global Britain agenda. Speaking at the Conservative Party conference, Professor Walmsley told MPs and industry leaders that a vibrant research and innovation sector is vital to the project.

The event was held as part of the digital Conservative Party conference this week. Building on a successful partnership with think tank the Institute for Government and the Wellcome Trust Imperial initiated last year, it set out to explore the government's plan for a 'global Britain', including its trade strategy and broader foreign policy aims.

Provost Professor Ian Walmsley was joined on the panel by Greg Hands MP, Minister of State at the Department for International Trade and commentators from think tanks. 

The UK is unique in its connectivity to promote its values across the globe to increase prosperity and promote peace. Greg Hands MP

He added that whilst the government’s commitment to spending 2.4% of GDP on R&D was very welcome, the UK must also attract global talent and allow the transfer of ideas and innovation to flow smoothly around the world.

Greg Hands MP said that while trade was probably the most important feature of the wider Global Britain agenda post-Brexit, the UK is unique in its connectivity to promote its values across the globe to increase prosperity and promote peace.

Play video

He also added that the life sciences are an area in which the UK is a world leader and form a very important part of the UK’s trade agenda. Professor Walmsley agreed that the UK is well-positioned to continue its success in the life sciences but stressed the importance of keeping the bi-lateral and multi-lateral streams open for global collaboration.

Imperial and Wellcome hosted a similar event at Labour Party conference last month.