The Policy Blender

You may have noticed that we at PolicyBlender have alluded to this Government's habit of trialing policy positions by leaking them to friendly journalists and then monitoring the subsequent media reaction.

This process is referred to as 'flying a kite', as the Government is trying to get a feel for which way the media wind is blowing - not the public mind you, that sort of thing is sooooo last millennium darling.

The 'kite-flying' method has been used by New Labour for years, however it has only recently become the favourite method of deciding what their principles are on a certain subject - replacing the trusted 'focus group'.

Whilst focus grouping has been a proven and successful method of determining what the opinion of certain demographic groups are; it has been less successful in gauging the media reaction to a policy. The media, in particular the print media, are notoriously difficult to predict; but they do have a tendency to stick to early editorial lines. Thus, if a 'kite' catches a favourable wind, it is likely to become policy. If it falls back down to earth, then it is swiftly and unceremoniously dumped.

Departments have little say in the policies that are flown - the leaks all centre around Downing St. If the kite's flight is successful, then the Ministers and Special Advisors at the relevant departments are instructed to develop and implement the policy, sometimes in a matter of hours. Officials are rarely consulted until an official announcement has been made.

This centralisation of policy, rule by media and complete by-pass of the relevant policy experts has become the new definition of the Bliarite presidential style. It is short term, defensive and dangerously cynical. It represents the ideological emptiness of those who govern us and their ruthless thirst for retaining power: even if the cost is to the health of democracy and the country.

Here are some examples of today's kites:

• Treason charge for hate clerics

• Rebrand for minorities

• Cherie to become and MP

Posted by Ben on Monday, August 08, 2005 at 12:24 pm | Permalink