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Today programme’s superb example of (Action=Consultation?)

On 31 October, the Radio 4 TODAY programme (at 2hrs 10s into the episode) provided us with a marvellous example of a classic consultation conundrum:
When does consultation amount to meaningful Government action?

On the prestigious 8.10am political slot, John Humphrys introduced an item on the serious issue of fixed-odds gambling machines using the words,“Now the Government is doing something about it. It has launched a consultation …”

He then wheeled out the Labour Deputy Leader who piously claimed they would just go ahead and change the gambling rules anyway – without further consultation. Insofar as the Party had included such a step in its Election Manifesto, he has a reasonable point.

But are there times when, despite the urgency for action, it is still better to suffer a delay so that a proper consultation can take place?

The answer is, “Yes – there are,” but whether this is one of them is matter for judgement.

We are currently putting the finishing touches to our new book – The Politics of Consultation (hopefully published next Spring) and we could not have wished for a better example of what some might regard as a Procrastinating Consultation. That’s when a consultation is launched with the aims of absorbing political pressure and ‘buying time’ whilst solutions are sought.

A few seconds later, we heard, “The Minister doesn’t want to talk about it until the Consultation has ended”

That’s a tell-tale sign.

When they genuinely want to hear people’s views about a viable set of alternative options, they are normally only too keen to explain them and request responses. So why stay silent?

Just occasionally it is because of the malign presence of a major industry stakeholder they don’t want to offend! Maybe not the case in this instance, but at the Institute, we will watch this particular consultation very closely.

 

The 40 second radio clip from the show, can be heard below.

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