ASK A SILLY QUESTION – Criticisms of Consultations often stem from mistakes made at the beginning

Confidence is a fragile commodity and nowhere has this been better demonstrated than in the recent debate following Mathew Parris’ article in The Times ( ‘Don’t ask my opinion; don’t consult, engage or include; just lead’ – February 26th)

Using the journalistic licence to exaggerate, Parris’ case was that the Edinburgh referendum on a proposed Congestion Charge was a good example of weak political leadership, and – in his words – consultation is a cop-out. The Institute published a robust response entitled In Defence of Consultation, but the fact remains that Parris has a point, and that there are many people that agree with him.