The essential attributes for those advising the government on bodies such as the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs are expertise and independence of any political party. Such bodies are only useful if they review the science around the issue with an understanding greater than lay people (including politicians).It was therefore, to me, profoundly shocking to hear Home Secretary Alan Johnson criticise the sacked chair of the advisory council Professor David Nutt for speaking out against government policy.
Independence of thought is what adds credibility to advisory bodies. Professor Nutt is well known for his scientific work on the relative harm of different types of drug and alcohol and the need for new approaches to drug classification. It is because he is a respected expert that he was appointed as chair of the advisory council.
In this case the advisory council made recommendations, the government took a different path and Professor Nutt amongst others spoke out against that decision. That is called debate and it is a healthy element of our society.
If expert panels and government advisors are all to be political yes men there will be no point to having them at all.
In this case the advisory council made recommendations, the government took a different path and Professor Nutt amongst others spoke out against that decision. That is called debate and it is a healthy element of our society.
If expert panels and government advisors are all to be political yes men there will be no point to having them at all.
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