Yesterday evening on Radio 4, The World in a Briefcase told another story illustrating the brilliance of British scientific research. In 1940, a team of British scientists left these shores carrying information about a number of British scientific discoveries. Their destination was the USA. In return for this valuable information, the Americans were to supply financial and industrial help to us to fight the Nazis. One of the inventions, the cavity magnetron, has since been described by military historians as one “that changed the world”.

The cavity magnetron (pictured above) was developed by John Turton Randall and Harry Boot at Birmingham University. It was the first practical device for producing microwaves. It allowed for the development of radars that could produce clear images of distant objects. These devices were then to be placed on ships and airplanes. Their widespread use clearly played a decisive part in the outcome of World War II. The device was also the ancestor of the microwave owen beloved by most of us today.

I mention this story as it illustrates the power of ideas and inventions. The British have a proud history of innovation. That innovative prowess is dependent upon an education system that discovers, nurtures and financially supports the great thinkers of each generation. Britain’s position in the global order will not be maintained by concentrating solely upon services and what we have left of a manufacturing base. It will be supported by continuing to compete in idea development. It is consequently in the interest of all Britons that our education system finds and educates the brightest to their full potential. The success of these men and women may very well underpin the future British economy. Without a vibrant, competitive economy we can forget about more hospitals, prisons and schools. I believe that discovering and nurturing talent is the key to future British economic success.