It is shocking but not surprising - and it’s not new- after 2015 the SNP administration seemed much less interested in research or public views and more in generating. ‘management’ information that gave them the responses they wanted. Of course it is not just the SNP, none of the major parties show much interest, if any, in addressing the. Very obvious democratic deficit .
A friend who works in the criminal justice system says juries are NOT the issue in rape trials. Of those that get to trial the conviction rate is about 70% - it is probably higher than for other crimes. The gap comes between reporting to the police and the decision to prosecute.
The issue is that the Scottish People should be consulted by means of a referendum on proposed changes to the constitution such as abolishing the Not Proven verdict and doing away with trial by jury for rape cases. Neither the ScotGov nor CJC consultations took into account the general public's views. The 'red flag' warning ScotGov's outside research firm, Why Research, raised was that it should not rely on the limited responses received during the consultation period as being indicative of the public's views.
To avoid misunderstanding, my research was not directed at the for or against of the many proposals in the Bill. It only looked at the question of consultation of the wider general public and for me the verdict is clear - there was practically none.
It is shocking but not surprising - and it’s not new- after 2015 the SNP administration seemed much less interested in research or public views and more in generating. ‘management’ information that gave them the responses they wanted. Of course it is not just the SNP, none of the major parties show much interest, if any, in addressing the. Very obvious democratic deficit .
I have said to people on FB "Write to your MSPs to demand a referendum on constitutional change! Do not abdicate your responsibility."
Thanks, Jerry. Great idea!
A friend who works in the criminal justice system says juries are NOT the issue in rape trials. Of those that get to trial the conviction rate is about 70% - it is probably higher than for other crimes. The gap comes between reporting to the police and the decision to prosecute.
The issue is that the Scottish People should be consulted by means of a referendum on proposed changes to the constitution such as abolishing the Not Proven verdict and doing away with trial by jury for rape cases. Neither the ScotGov nor CJC consultations took into account the general public's views. The 'red flag' warning ScotGov's outside research firm, Why Research, raised was that it should not rely on the limited responses received during the consultation period as being indicative of the public's views.
To avoid misunderstanding, my research was not directed at the for or against of the many proposals in the Bill. It only looked at the question of consultation of the wider general public and for me the verdict is clear - there was practically none.