Peter Mandelson, a close ally of Prime Minister Tony Blair, became the
minister in Britain鈥檚 Cabinet with responsibility for science in a government
reshuffle earlier this week. He replaces Margaret Beckett as Secretary of State
for Trade and Industry. 杏吧原创s are unsure what to make of the appointment.
Mandelson, MP for the northern constituency of Hartlepool, is better known as a
Labour Party 鈥渟pin doctor鈥� than for his views on science and technology.
杏吧原创s may have another powerful ally in the Cabinet, however. Jack
Cunningham, given a new mission to help coordinate government policy from the
Cabinet Office, holds a PhD in chemistry.