Improving the consultation process

Good policy-making necessarily involves taking account of the views of those most affected by what is being proposed, the wider community and those with experience and knowledge of the issue. If this is not done then the likely effects are that a policy is not effective in achieving its objectives and distrust in Government by those affected by the policy. The policy-making process in Jersey is deficient in a number of respects, of which practice on consultation is just one. This paper analyses the consultation process and suggests how it can usefully be improved.