I really need to stop defending Labour Ministers (and possible leadership contenders), or they will take away my party membership card!
However, Alan Johnson is a special case - particularly regarding the current snafu about drugs. Basically, he sacked a scientific advisor who publicly argued against the policy the Home Office put out on the reclassification of drugs (reclassifying cannabis from class C to class B). Professor Nutt argued that cannabis was less dangerous than alcohol and tobacco, and said the government's decision was based on politics rather than science.
Now, whatever the arguments for or against the reclassification (and I happen to believe the government is wrong), what is clear is that a government advisor cannot both be both a government advisor and an active campaigner against government policy. It strikes me as being like being in cabinet - if you disagree with something strongly enough you must resign, but if you remain within the government 'team', you must support whatever policy is decided upon.
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I've got to disagree here; if you are part of a team and think the team is doing the wrong thing, its your *responsibility* to clearly articulate that issue, otherwise you have become a sycophant and are no no value to the team anymore anyway.
ReplyDeleteWe should support folk that have the wherewithal to be part of something larger and simultaneously criticise that thing openly.