In the US, Creationists and Fundamentalists have significant political influence, and they have powerful lobbying organizations that work to influence not only science education, but scientific and medical research, and even medical treatment.

The idea of "Intelligent Design" has been advanced by an organization called The Discover Institute, which was founded by Bruce Chapman, who served in the Reagan White House. It was created as part of "The Wedge Strategy", which is a well funded public relations effort which the Wikipedia articles says is "to change American culture by shaping public policy to reflect conservative Christian, namely evangelical Protestant, values."

Things may be different across the pond, but here in the US, the threat to science is not only very real, it is well armed and well funded.