Quote Originally Posted by CropleyWasGod View Post
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The consultation process is about more than just the numbers.

The body that administers it (who, AIUI, are civil servants rather than political appointments) have to take into account the amount of cut-and-pasting that goes on. For example, an organisation might might say to its 100 members "this is what we're saying to the consultation. Please say the same". Or organisations might get together and say "let's make sure we all say the same". In those situations, it's only really one argument that is being put forward, irrespective of the numbers.

The SG unit is well aware of this, and has to make sure that the breadth of opinion is reflected when taking things to the next stage. Of course the numbers are important, but it's the different shades within those numbers that, IMO, is more important.
It's true that a consultation isn't a vote. It's more to highlight issues and draw on expertise.But there is a tricky issue in balancing individual responses and those from organisations representing members or working on issues. How do you weigh the views on a health issue of, say, the BMA against members of the public. Instinctively you would give weight to the BMA on the basis that they would be informed and also are a representative body. But with the current vogue for 'lived experience ' how do you weave that in? The reality is that governments will have regard to consultations, but that's it.