British lessons

There are currently 1,961 public inquiries open in the British Parliament. Of these, 17 are at the initial stage where anyone can submit written evidence. Regarding the epidemic, the number has reached 72 cases, and it also includes the investigation into suspicious contracts with suppliers of masks and tests. Their search website is an example of efficiency and claritylike all public institution pages in the United Kingdom, is a model for any government that wants to serve its citizens on the Internet.

Some investigations are simple and resolved quickly with little more than an exchange of information in response to a question. Those investigating more complex and controversial matters, such as the management of the pandemic, the Post Office scandal, and the Grenfell fire, have a special classification, 'statutory public inquiry'. In these cases, investigative committees may compel some people to testify, and government involvement in the course and terms of the investigation is clearly limited. It is also regulated by two laws of 2005 and 2006.

The public inquiry into the impact of the pandemic, the UK response, and “lessons for the future” is an example of how these larger committees work. In this case, it was led by Heather Hallett, a retired judge of the Court of Appeal and member of the House of Lords who actually led the investigation into the July 2005 attacks in London. The committee collects testimony and determines the scope of the investigation. Prime ministers, ministers, officials and businessmen must testify. The resignees have already passed through there the first show Boris Johnson and the current, Rishi Sunak. The investigation broadcasts its sessions, publishes the documents and records submitted, and Leave a record of what you do on a separate website.

The investigation holds politicians and other officials in the public and private sectors accountable — and, in some cases, leads to resignation — changes regulations and laws and creates a record of events that could end up in history books and in criminal proceedings. There are complaints about the slowness of these investigations, debates over jurisdictions, and the failure to follow up on some recommendations, but their existence is not discussed. It is neither the fruit nor the subject of partisan struggle, although its results may be so. In the UK, it is inconceivable that the government has prevented an inquiry into the management of the pandemic As did the SWP and its partners in Congress In 2020 or the opposition party questioned her for her disgrace as the People's Party is doing now.

It is not that the parties of Sunak and Starmer are purer than the Spanish parties. They do not do this, among other things, because there is a process and a law that regulates this. But also because of a culture of accountability that makes it unthinkable for ministers or prime ministers to boycott any relevant investigation. They may be slow to provide documents, but it is unacceptable that they do not cooperate or do not come forward to testify.

It is the process and its norms that make democracies resistant to the partisan temptation to see or pretend to see the speck in the other's eye. “The Famous and the Infamous”what about…(“What about…”) It is very common in our society to talk about something else when faced with some abuse or deviance that does not sit well with you. It is a limited matter when there is a process that applies to all managers regardless of their political party. .

An independent public inquiry is no magic bullet either, and in the UK we have already seen companies Conservative Party comrades With little or no experience in the health sector, they received multi-million dollar contracts for sometimes defective materials. But it would be useful if, when violations occur, citizens do not have to put up with a pimp that leads nowhere: the phrase “and you more” does not help clarify responsibilities and does not help prevent future violations.

A public, independent and indisputably binding process for all is the minimum required of the politicians to whom we give our votes to manage public affairs. The little United Kingdom is falling apart (literally), but it still has great lessons to teach us.