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Science policy pales into insignificance | Letters

A protest outside parliament against climate change and in favour of clean energy in November 2016.
A protest outside parliament against climate change and in favour of clean energy in November 2016. Photograph: Andrew Aitchison/In pictures/Getty Images

Science and technology are a clear casualty of this futurephobic election campaign (Editorial, 22 May). The Conservative manifesto uses the word science just seven times and has the feeble target of 10 years to reach the OECD average investment in R&D (2.4% of GDP). Labour manages four references, refers to a science innovation fund and sets a target of 3% of GDP on R&D – but not until 2030. Governments with confidence in the future would have science-based innovation at the top of their manifesto commitments. They would be creating employment and dealing with the environment, climate change, clean energy, infectious disease and safe access to large data sets.
Professor David Baulcombe
Trinity College, Cambridge

• Unlike Eric Skyte (Letters, 18 May), I did not receive a letter from Mrs May. I have, however, received a compelling missive from our local Mole Valley Lib Dems, who took 39.7% of the vote this month against the Conservatives’ 48.1%. Don’t choke on your Cornflakes Eric but if we both voted Lib Dem, they might unseat the Conservatives.
Barbara Patterson
Leatherhead, Surrey

• Agreed, the state could do a better job to support people with disabilities (Why so few disabled candidates are standing for parliament, 24 May), but are we to assume that all disabilities are visible? What about learning difficulties or mental health conditions? What about type 1 diabetes? I am led to believe that there might be one candidate in the election with that as a condition.
Mary Kitchener
Highworth, Wiltshire

• Has anyone else noticed that 8 June is also the 50th anniversary of A Whiter Shade of Pale reaching number one in the UK?
Richard Griffin
London

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