As Minister of Science and Technology he established a review into government funding of scientific research. Despite their differences in the past, Tizard increasingly found himself on side with Lange who also came to oppose much of Douglas' agenda. He retracted his previous grudge against Lange and supported him when Douglas challenged for the leadership. Linking back to his earlier pledge to never vote for him, Tizard told Lange "I don't expect you to lie horizontally on the table so I can vote for you".