Can a Burnham government make Britain a global leader in science and technology? Expert comment LToremark 8 July 2026 The next UK prime minister should make it a priority to provide strategic focus for Britain’s science and technology strategy. Andy Burnham is near-certain to succeed Keir Starmer as UK prime minister. He will inherit a world in which technological leadership increasingly shapes economic prosperity, military capability and geopolitical influence. Emerging science and technology f