They do listen
From William Little Sir: Opinionated pieces like Melanie Phillips's ('Why do politicians lie? Because they have to', 18 October) play a large part in the creation of cynicism and apathy in the voting public. Politicians and civil servants by and large are decent people trying to do a very difficult and complex job. It is a lot harder, for instance, to develop and implement policy to give people with learning disabilities rights and support to make their own decisions than it is to write a polemical piece. The first takes years of consultation with the public that Melanie Phillips feels is so disengaged. The second takes a couple of hours.
I recently attended a consultative forum with Lord Filkin, junior minister at the Home Office with responsibility for the Mental Incapacity Bill. He revealed that he has spent much time recently meeting with the 'public' all over the country, at sessions like the one I attended. At these he listens and takes on board ideas that lead to changes in legislation, policy and the implementation of policy. Rather than assuming that the 'public' thinks as Melanie Phillips does, Lord Filkin went to find out. If Melanie Phillips thinks that this government is a bunch of liars who aren't trying to make a difference, then I think she should make more effort to find out what politicians are really doing. She might be surprised. I'm a member of the public who isn't apathetic and cynical, but I think that maybe Melanie Phillips is.
William Little
London NW3
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