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Is policy now decided in Think Tanks rather than by parties and Ministers?

(29 Posts)
Baggs Tue 10-Aug-21 10:58:03

Think tanks also publish their findings/ideologies so voters can see them and decide which suggested policies they want to support and thence which way to cast their votes.

Baggs Tue 10-Aug-21 10:56:08

Think tanks are useful. MPs and ministers don't have the time (or the skill in most cases) to do all the research themselves into every new thing that needs researching. Then, ideally, government ministers are informed of the think tanks' findings. Think tanks themselves are not technically able to "decide" policy; that is down to MPs in Parliament.

It would of course take a very wise government not to be much swayed by think tank results not in line with their political ideologies. And there lies the rub.

maddyone Tue 10-Aug-21 10:40:22

I think this has been happening for some years Pippa. Whether or not it’s a good thing, I’m not sure.

PippaZ Tue 10-Aug-21 10:18:01

I don't know the answer to this. It does seem to me that all the big ideas come from somewhere other than the government department. More to the point they are not often in any parties manifesto. If this is the case it's no wonder no one feels responsible for their actions.

I just wondered if this was true, mainly true or only happens now and again.