Postcards for George… sample of submissions so far

This is just a sample of some of the postcards that have already been submitted.

Every branch of the sciences is critical - even the study of dinosaurs and fossil relatives yields critical data on evolution and ecological changes (including climate change) over long periods.
More than just for the birds, Science is the greatest of all human endeavours and achievements; science illuminates, science supports economies, science reveals discoveries, science provides delight, science stretches minds. -- Grrlscientist
The UK's only long term resource is its brain-power. Cutting government science funding, already a lower GDP fraction than in all our main competitors, will kill off this long term resource. It would be short term penny-wise but long term pound-stupid. To compete with Germany, France, Japan, China, the US we need more funding not less so we can compete on equal terms, otherwise our best & brightest, including me, will leave. Don't undermine the UK's science & technology future.
The UK has been at the forefront of scientific excellence due to the realisation that Science is Vital for a sustained economy and to keep pushing the boundaries of technology to help both people and the environment. This realisation must be met with no cuts in scientific funding.
My lab at UCL studies chronic urinary tract infection - a serious problem in the elderly. Mr Cameron says that the antibiotic resistance crisis could send us back to the Dark Ages. The bacteria are winning, and only research will solve this looming calamity. In labs like mine across the UK, experiments need feeding. Petri dishes aren't as sexy as big capital, but they're equally important. Please boost the science budget so we can carry on fighting for our lives. Time is running out.
Dear George, I may not be a conservative voter but I appeal to you from my deepest being - please do not cut the science budget. Even a continued flat-line in investment would be dire for UK Science. We need to invest in what we do BEST. Science as part of STEM is what we do best. This investment is for our children. Please please please, look beyond the 5-year term to the future of our country. Once UK Science is destroyed, there will be no way back for us. Thank you!
Dear Mr Osborne, Science is vital- because it helps to save lives, Science is vital- because it helps to treat diseases, Science is vital- because it gives foundation to build on, That's why we should promote science. That's why we should invest in science. Research funding is necessary to move forward and make the world a better place. Justyna Sobczak
Dear Mr Osborne, My lab at Oxford studies human decision-making. Our work uncovers ways to help people make better decisions. Please don't make a bad decision by cutting UK science funding. Your support is vital for our progress to continue.
Dear Mr Osborne, Every year, I give a lecture to my students about forging a career in academic research. Every year, I find it harder to give that lecture. Why? Because of the erosion of UK science investment, it is getting tougher for young scientists to gain a start in developing a sustainable research career. I can't encourage our future research leaders into making those first steps if those jobs aren't going to exist. That can change, but only if you invest in UK science. Pete Etchells
Dear Mr Osborne, you once said that you are passionate about British science and that it is vitally important to our economic future. Being a scientist myself, I share this passion with you. However, the truth is that investment in science is as low as ever and the mere threat of an impending 25-40% cut has already caused many of my colleagues to lose their jobs. Without public support, British science will no longer be excellent. Please remember your own words. Science is vital. Regards Chris
Science is not just about the esoteric pursuit of truth. Spending on basic science research is one of the best investments that can be made in long-term economic prosperity. Spending on basic research now provides the raw material for the next generation of technological advances that fuel our economic growth. To cut investment in science is to hamstring out economic recovery and jeopardise our global competitiveness.
Dear Mr Osborne, Science fuels the creativity that has enabled medical and engineering breakthrough, truly improving lives. Not only will lack of funding result in the demise of jobs and advancements across all fields, it will also lead to a lack of opportunity for research students (such as myself) of whom may possess excellent minds, never able to show what they can contribute. That I feel is an absolute loss to not only Britain, but the world. Yours, Stephanie Howell
Dear Mr Osborne, In 2011 the coalition government said there was 'no health without mental health', but there'll be no studies of mental health without the money to undertake them. Science is as vital as ever!
Dear Mr Osborne, you once said that you are passionate about British science and that it is vitally important to our economic future. Being a scientist myself, I share this passion with you. However, the truth is that investment in science is as low as ever and the mere threat of an impending 25-40% cut has already caused many of my colleagues to lose their jobs. Without public support, British science will no longer be excellent. Please remember your own words. Science is vital. Regards Chris
Dear Mr Osborne, We all enjoy our tea or our coffee. 20 ago a physicist was worrying about his coffee ring stained kitchen worktops. Why did they form those patterns? It seems an academic, perhaps useless question right? Yet solving that riddle was necessary for the development of the new field of plastic electronics. Would UK funding models allow for the early investigation of coffee stain effects? No. Britain risks losing out and falling behind. Science is vital. Science funding is vital.
Dear George, I may not be a conservative voter but I appeal to you from my deepest being - please do not cut the science budget. Even a continued flat-line in investment would be dire for UK Science. We need to invest in what we do BEST. Science as part of STEM is what we do best. This investment is for our children. Please please please, look beyond the 5-year term to the future of our country. Once UK Science is destroyed, there will be no way back for us. Thank you!
I have been a science teacher in an inner city comprehensive for over ten years. Science is vital for many children because they aspire to a career in medicine or dentistry, they are often the first in their family to attend university. Science is also vital for arts students as it teaches them to analyse ideas and think about the evidence that is presented to them.
Mr Osborne Science is vital for the economic health of the UK. I understand the need to appear even-handed in applying budget cuts across government departments, but to cut an income-generating activity makes no strategic sense. Most G8 countries are increasing investment in research because of the economic benefits, and I urge you to do the same.
Dear George Osbourne,My husband is a Vet, I am a GP and my son is currently doing a PhD in High Energy physics at CERN. We are fully aware of the importance if science and find it impossible to understand why you would even contemplate cutting the science budget. Science is the bedrock of the health and wealth if this country. Please don't let this country down. If you do many bright minds will to leave the UK. My son is already considering it. A concerned British citizen, Dr Claire Elwood
Dear Mr Osborne, I write with concern over the proposed budget cuts. By cutting research funds, you necessarily stunt the nation's progression in education, healthcare, and efficient environmental solutions. Science is vital here. We research how children learn to read. Specifically, I aim to understand comprehension difficulties experienced by 5-10% of children, so that our education system can better support the development of this fundamental literacy skill. Yours sincerely, Emma James
I am a British PhD student working at CERN on the LHC particle collider and am very concerned about the consideration of cuts to the UK science budget. Witnessing and working to understand fundamental nature of reality is impossible to attribute a value to. However, massive technological developments such as the world wide web were developed at CERN, and have contributed much more value than their funding cost. Don't let the economy and technology of the future be marred by short term politics.
As part of the current automotive industry in the UK, facing all the global pressures we have, it must be recognised that IP generation and exploitation is critical to our long term future, and this needs an enhanced level of engagement between industry and academia. To facilitate this, it is essential, if not critical, that we maintain our investment in science and technology, throughout the education system, to ensure we have the future innovators we need to survive, and meet our needs today.
Science is both a traditional and a progressive route to knowledge. It links us to the past and paves the way to the future. Any country that turns its back on fundamental research, looses its way and will end up wandering in the dark labyrinth of unsubstantiated opinion. Photo by Kim Ayres.
Don't worry George, we've stopped putting the heating on so we can afford to continue doing science. If you want to cut the budget further, I'm sure we can do without food or oxygen or something. Cheers, mate Dean
Without decent science funding and that does not just mean medicine, you wouldn't have anything to eat let alone to drive

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