Expert defence

If we want a world in the hands of ‘expert professionals’ then we are well on the way.
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Your letters

The first defence of a politician today, in local and national government, is that expert advice was followed.

An architect has recently argued for the removal of all planning, with people building what they want – a good way to get houses built.

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The odd thing is that nothing can be built without planning. There is basic structural planning by the architect, acting as an engineer. But a large consideration for any house, or building, is planning for those who use it.

That also requires knowing what is planned for the neighbourhood. Not many people want a splendid new house, only to find someone else putting up a warehouse, or wind farm, a few yards away, where there was a rural panorama.

Social planning is inescapable. The Government cannot lay out a railway or road, as a mere technical exercise – even if the Romans may have done.

The job of an ‘expert’ is to advise the policymakers on what can be done in practical terms. The very last thing they should do is decide what should be done.

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Experts are people who can do more good and far more harm than anyone else. How do we tell the difference?

R. W. Standing

Sea Road

East Preston

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