Consultation has always been a formal process within a wider environment of public engagement. No-one has ever suggested that we have to declare a consultation before a public debate can take place and, of course, a great number of important issues generating enormous controversies are never subject to consultation.

Indeed it has always seemed a little strange that all manner of fairly trivial subjects become subject to consultation whereas, for some really important stuff, citizens have no opportunity to express their views. Maybe the frustration of euro-sceptics who argue for a Referendum on the EU might be somewhat reduced had there been a consultation or two on the subject over the last thirty years.