Legal Basis Of Government Actions Must Be Published
Under new proposals, the legal basis of government actions could have to be explained to Parliament:
“The Attorney-General could in future have to explain before Parliament the legal basis for going to war, under reforms proposed yesterday. He or she could also give up any role in deciding prosecutions…
Legal advice from the Attorney-General is not generally disclosed to Parliament or the public, even if it relates to such significant questions as whether Britain should go to war. But the paper asks whether there is a case for more routine publication of the advice on the basis that Parliament and the people should be informed of the legal ground on which the Government is acting.” (The Times)
The legal basis for all government actions should be presented - or able to be presented - to Parliament. Whether the decision is as significant as the basis for war or as insignificant as can be imagined, the legal advice from the Attorney-General should be available - either as a written report or verbal statement.
In a democracy, the government is answerable to the people. When the government makes a decision, we should at the very least be able to see the legal basis for it, whatever it may be. The government and Parliament get their authority from the electorate. We should be able to see the reasonings behind any and all decisions they make.
Sources: The Times, Daily Mail
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