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This chapter examines role of public inquiries within government’s attempts to diffuse the intense pressure for action and answers placed on them in the aftermath of crises. The standard narrative suggests public inquiries represent a symbol of responsible government in that they involve government voluntarily subjecting themselves to independent scrutiny. This chapter challenges this view, showing how inquiries are part of governmental attempts to diffuse political pressure in order to credit seek whilst deflecting requests for substantive action and answers. The chapter highlights how government often draws on the norm of sub judice, which facilitates this role in deferring pressure, but also notes that as with any discretionary politicised strategy, it is always possible to miscalculate when and how inquiries should be deployed to best effect.

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A ‘Very British’ Answer to ‘Something Must be Done!’: Inquiries and Political Pressure

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年

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  • Nathan Critch

摘要

This chapter examines role of public inquiries within government’s attempts to diffuse the intense pressure for action and answers placed on them in the aftermath of crises. The standard narrative suggests public inquiries represent a symbol of responsible government in that they involve government voluntarily subjecting themselves to independent scrutiny. This chapter challenges this view, showing how inquiries are part of governmental attempts to diffuse political pressure in order to credit seek whilst deflecting requests for substantive action and answers. The chapter highlights how government often draws on the norm of sub judice, which facilitates this role in deferring pressure, but also notes that as with any discretionary politicised strategy, it is always possible to miscalculate when and how inquiries should be deployed to best effect.