Good science-based predictions are powerful, says Graeme Smith, Reader in Public Theology at the University of Chichester. But given that politics is a human activity, he disagrees with Rorty that those in the humanities cannot do it as well. Turning humanities-based soothsayer for a moment, Dr Smith sets out the reasons why he thinks that the Labour Party will (just) form the next government at Westminster, concluding: "you read it here first."

Creationism and ‘intelligent design’ are not scientific theories, but they are portrayed as such by some religious fundamentalists who attempt to have their views promoted in publicly-funded schools. There should be enforceable statutory guidance that they may not be presented as scientific theories in any publicly-funded school of whatever type, say a group of eminent scientists and science educators. They include an Anglican priest and they are backed by five organisations: three scientific, one secular humanist and one Christian.

Top scientists, science educators and five national organisations have signed a statement on teaching evolution, not creationism, in school science.