The weekend press has just enjoyed itself pointing out that the Prime Minister’s widely-advertised NHS Reform Summit on Monday managed to exclude many critics of the Government’s plans.

And it is easy to find such situations a soft target. Are consultations not meant to hear all sides of the argument? How can one take account of stakeholder views if they aren’t there? And won’t you just be listening to what people think you want to hear? Few people sympathised with the PM, and were sceptical when it was argued that he was just trying to persuade sympathetic waverers whilst sidestepping determined opposition from implacable opponents.