The
UK government is one of the most open and transparent in the world – and long
may that continue. It is vital that we can all scrutinise the process and
decision making of our government. However there are other considerations too:
national security; commercially sensitive information; privileged data and so
on. These too, for the ultimate good of all should be taken fully into account.
My
concern therefore that highly complex trade
negotiations some of which will inevitably have
commercially sensitive data or involve security issues should be subject to the
scrutiny suggested is completely impractical. It would also delay and bog down talks. Further it would likely weaken
our hand in our negotiations as competitors would inevitably be privy to
matters best kept private during those negotiations.
Our parliamentary system, where the government is routinely held
to account for the decisions it makes is in good working order. I see no reason
to move away from that.
