He might not agree with his brother on the EU but Jo Johnson could easily match Boris’ destructive power

Jo Johnson – brother of Boris Johnson and UK Science Minister – spoke to the UK’s scientific establishment on 27 January and avoided a crucial question about the EU Referendum three times, despite being pro-EU.

UK unis and our superb science science base key to our future as a knowledge economy – much stronger inside EU

— Jo Johnson (@JoJohnsonUK) February 21, 2016

Johnson junior may have come out in favour of Cameron’s Remain campaign, going against his older brother, but when veteran Natural History Museum scientist Klaus Sattler asked about contingency plans for a Brexit win, the Science Minister gave a true politician’s answer:

Q&A chair, Sarah Main, of the host organisation – the Campaign for Science and Engineering – voiced what the audience was no doubt thinking:

The next question enabled Johnson to skirt the question again, and then Main pushed him once more:

This time, he flat out refused to answer:

Is Jo Johnson so confident that he will be victorious in this battle of brothers that he honestly believes there is no need to plan for a Brexit? It seems so, and we hope he’s right to be, because the alternative could destroy the UK’s standing as a science superpower.

Featured image via Wikimedia Commons