‘Space: the final frontier.’ Six decades since Captain James T. Kirk first uttered those words, American enthusiasm for star-trekking is stronger than ever. Artemis II’s voyage presages future Nasa trips to the Moon, Mars and beyond; SpaceX’s successful initial public offering and Starship rocket launches confirm continuing enthusiasm for Elon Musk’s interplanetary initiatives. But, on this side of the Atlantic, our ambitions are far less stellar; rather than reach for the heavens, we fiddle with the price of bus tickets.

The potential closure of the Jodrell Bank Observatory – home to the UK’s largest telescope for almost 70 years – for lack of funding is a tragedy. Its annual operational cost is £2.8 million; by contrast, Andy Burnham’s £2 bus fares cap is expected to cost well over £500 million next year. With the news about Jodrell Bank coming only days after Downing Street announced the closure of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, discerning Burnham’s priorities does not require a deep-space telescope. He does not want a nation that strives mightily to achieve great things but a sweet shop Britain where the state pays for our treats. This is infantilisation not innovation.

Our watchword should be enterprise – not the starship, but the private spirit of innovation

Our watchword should be enterprise – not the starship, but the private spirit of innovation

Undoubtedly, voters are worried about living costs. For two decades, household........

© The Spectator