Lord Justice Leveson
publishes his report at 1.30. The Prime
Minister, the leader of the opposition and the leader of the
Liberal Democrats aka the Deputy Prime Minister respond this afternoon.
Is that a sensible way to make policy in the minefield of press
regulation.
Speed reading was clearly the order of the day in Downing
Street yesterday as ministers cleared their desks to work out what to say on
Leveson. The Coalition Committee has
been finally hauled into action. Nick
Clegg is on the phone to the Speaker.
After all a 2000 page report demands an instant
response. Or does it? Maybe from individuals whose reputations may not emerge unscathed. But it is not clear that any good purpose is
served by reacting immediately in an inevitably unthought through way to the
proposals for the future.
Rather than try to make capital (or not lose it) out of
Leveson, wouldn’t it be better for the Prime Minister to stand up and simply
say: “I am very grateful to Lord Justice Leveson and his team for the immense
amount of work they have put in. They
have produced a long and considered report.
This is an issue which raises important issues on the balance of
freedoms between individuals and the press and now deserves serious study. That is what I and my colleagues will now do
as I hope will the party opposite. In
the New Year, we will bring forward proposals – on which we will then consult
widely. Where possible, I am keen to
build cross-party consensus. And I will
look to see whether there are issues which would be better resolved by free votes
in this House. I – and my Ministers –
like Lord Leveson, will not discuss further today”.
And then Ed Miliband would have no option but to stand up
and agree with the Prime Minister that this was too serious a topic to rush to
instant conclusions.
Fantasy politics?
Possibly.
Better policy making?
Definitely.
