The Higgs particle has just been discovered at CERN. Proposed by Professor Peter Higgs in 1964, this particle is what governs mass in our observable universe.

Big deal you may say – but like any new discovery, it does not take long before important applications follow. Think of where we would be without the laser, for instance? Our future prosperity could one day depend on it.

One thing it does highlight, however, is how important it is for governments to stop being shortsighted and invest in education for our future generations. The next Einstein will not necessarily come from a privileged background.

And any government would never be too short sighted to start realising that these future applications could be worth taxing.

Phil Shepherdson, Chantry Close, Woodthorpe, York.