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Interview: Science's man in Whitehall

By Jeremy Webb

2 April 2008

New Scientist. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

John Denham is a rare creature: a British cabinet minister with a science degree. Part of his brief as Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills is to make sure scientists are listened to. Jeremy Webb asked him about the role of science within government, why he is set on introducing ID cards, and what persuaded him to become a politician in the first place

After studying chemistry at university you went on to work for various charities. What did you hope to achieve?

I wanted to achieve change and, because of my political instincts, progressive change. I was…

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