Independent Arbitration

[Stevenj214]

Is there any particular reason why the government doesn't have an independent body to comment on political comments or practises? A body to be the judge when one party claims black whilst another party claims white. A body to report on the campaign pledges vs. actual policy. A body to provide information to general Joe Public to give him an idea of how the government is actually doing without all the spin.

[Jasandjules]

Because they would lose?

[Stevenj214]

Jasandjules said:

Because they would lose?

Not specifically this Labour government, but any government. Especially when they campaign on openness, transparancy, honesty, integrity, etc.

[G'kar]

An unelected body with authority over and above that of the government?

Most states spent a long time dismantling such systems.

[Stevenj214]

G'kar said:

An unelected body with authority over and above that of the government?

Most states spent a long time dismantling such systems.

No authority, only an information provider.

ETA: maybe arbitration was the wrong word initially.

Edited by Stevenj214 on Thursday 16th April 08:43

[G'kar]

Stevenj214 said:

A body to be the judge when one party claims black whilst another party claims white.

And if they decide that the ruling party is in the wrong?

Judge would indicate authority.

[JMGS4]

No government will ever allow an independant body to check them or their actions, as this would do nothing except show their incompetence!

[Stevenj214]

G'kar said:

Stevenj214 said:

A body to be the judge when one party claims black whilst another party claims white.

And if they decide that the ruling party is in the wrong?

Judge would indicate authority.

I was thinking along the line of:

Party A: We have appointed 1000 new police officers.

Party B: Ridiculous, you have not.

Independent body: This is what has actually happened to police officers since party A took charge.

[ninja-lewis]

Stevenj214 said:

G'kar said:

Stevenj214 said:

A body to be the judge when one party claims black whilst another party claims white.

And if they decide that the ruling party is in the wrong?

Judge would indicate authority.

I was thinking along the line of:

Party A: We have appointed 1000 new police officers.

Party B: Ridiculous, you have not.

Independent body: This is what has actually happened to police officers since party A took charge.

We sort of have that already with the UK Statistics Authority (Office of National Statistics). It's supposed to provide information independent of the government although it publishes information according to its own schedule rather than responding to a particular debate. I recall they did give the government a kicking for trying to spin their provisional results (on knife attacks I think).

The problem with a panel judging debates like this is that they will rapidly be accused of bias and if they're established by the Government, well some people will always doubt their independence. Its probably a job best left to media.

[Benny Saltstein]

In a sense this is the role of the forth estate, the press. That would include the BBC, oh dear....