Think tank warns of political “credibility gap”
The Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) has claimed that a “credibility gap” has developed between the public and government due to a lack of public accountability.
Director Jane Martin claimed that successive governments have failed to engage with the public “resulting in a despondent electorate, which has lost faith in the way it is represented, is unclear about forms of accountability, with the effects manifesting in low voting turnouts.”
Her full report on accountability is due to be published later in the month.
She calls for the public to be given the information necessary for “active citizenship”, so that genuine scrutiny of government activity can take place.
In a preview of the report Ms Martin argued that: “It is no longer acceptable for elected representatives to take their democratic legitimacy for granted.
“Central government must pull back from micro-managing public services and rise to the challenge of ensuring public accountability at the local level.”
“Regional and local representatives must establish the credibility of their new powers and duties within their executive authorities while ensuring regular dialogue with stakeholders.”
She also called for the media, both local and national, “to be persuaded of the newsworthiness of public scrutiny and encouraged in balanced reporting of accountability issues.”
Labour MP Tony Wright, chair of the Commons Public Administration Committee, welcomed the report. He said: “Those who exercise power or spend public money need to account for how they do it, but in a way that contributes to the purpose of the activity or the enterprise.
“Scrutiny is at the heart of accountability, but it needs to be coherent and well organised. Bad scrutiny is useless, or even damaging. By contrast, good scrutiny not only ensures effective accountability but also contributes to a learning culture that should infuse all organisations.”
