Citizen Equality Act of 2017

• One of the key questions is who should make decisions in an emergency, and how.
• But as former chancellor George Osborne pointed out in his testimony to the inquiry, expert advice isn’t necessarily enough on its own.
• She gave the example of the Welsh government using online platforms to consult with people with certain characteristics protected under the Equality Act.

Engaging the public

• Deliberative democracy is the process of engaging a cross-section of the public in making decisions.
• According to a 2022 government report, the decision to delay locking down was partly based on the “widespread view that the public would not accept a lockdown for a significant period”.
• Members of the public largely complied with COVID restrictions, showing themselves willing to sacrifice some liberty in exchange for fewer lives lost to COVID.
• Read more:
  COVID: how incorrect assumptions and poor foresight hampered the UK's pandemic preparedness

  There have been some public deliberations on COVID-related issues in the UK during the pandemic, led by academics, public sector bodies and independent research groups.

Diverse experiences and perspectives

• A major benefit of engaging the public is the diverse experiences and perspectives they bring.
• For example, a public deliberation on colorectal cancer screening recommendations revealed concerns around the lack of information available about different screening options.
• Moving beyond expert voices can also help bring attention to the perspectives of marginalised communities who are often politically ignored.

Preparing for the next pandemic

• These are the same three factors researchers at the OECD have identified as making a topic suitable for public deliberation.
• And speed wouldn’t be a problem if structures are built for citizen participation in time for the next pandemic.
• Doing so could empower citizens, improve public trust, revitalise British democracy, and prepare us for the next pandemic.