How to build cross-party support for controversial policies
Successive UK governments have tried to use independent commissions, cross-party agreements and public engagement to diffuse politically contentious issues. Most recently, the Johnson government has pledged cross-party talks on social care and a royal commission on justice, and six House of Commons committees are running a citizens\u2019 assembly on climate change.\n\nThis panel debate assessed the pros and cons of different approaches and how they can be deployed most effectively.\n\nOur panel included:\n\nSir John Gieve, former Permanent Secretary at the Home Office\nProfessor Sir John Hills, former Member of the Pensions Commission\nDame Julie Mellor, Chair of Demos\nProfessor Dawn Oliver, former Member of the Royal Commission on Reform of the House of Lords.\nThis event was chaired by Nick Davies, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.\n\nThere was an opportunity for questions from the audience.