We have grown familiar with the new pandemic set piece press conference from Downing Street. An appropriate government minister ,frequently the Prime Minister, flanked by 1 or 2 experts, opening statement by Minister followed by questioning from members of the public and a cross-section of the national media addressed to members of the platform. The transparency of the advice given and political action upon it is open to all of us. The multi-disciplinary advisory group of scientists composing SAGE range from statisticians to psychologists and other participants in the press conference range from police spokesman to the military. This unique approach in transparency and active interchange of views between government and specialist advisers could be applied to other areas of policy such as the possible merger between the National health services and residential care for the elderly. At present the general solution for long-term policy problems is the setting up of a Royal commission consisting of mixture of appropriate stakeholders and”the great and the good.” Public evidence from many sources is taken and conclusions with recommendations made. What then follows is a government response and political enquiry without the opportunity of public and media cross examination of the protagonists we have found so beneficial in the pandemic crisis.

The civil service role of “speaking the truth to power” is by its very nature private advice.Though there are experts and specialists within its ranks it is mainly staffed by generalists whomove from job to job and are themseves privately advised by outside specialists.

We have a redundant and obsolete institution of Parliament, the House of Lords. The members are appointed for life and it is mainly filled with retired politicians, political advisers and financial contributors though it has a minority of of stakeholders and specialists. what appears to be required is its replacement by a 2nd advisory chamber of parliament.the membership would be composed representatives of stakeholders,from a broad section of interests., Each serving for a fixed term of say 3years. SAGE type groupings could be formed from this membership as required.

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