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In dismissing David Nutt, its chief drugs adviser, the government has bowed to public mood
Jump to full article: The Observer (uk), 2009-11-01
Intro: The sacking of David Nutt for insisting on the probity of scientific evidence that did not correspond to political exigencies has a significance well beyond the drugs debate. The essence of democracy is evidence- based argument, reason and genuine deliberation. Of course there will be a passionate clash of values and priorities, but if we cannot accept the facts we descend into a shouting match between rival prejudices.
This is not the first time the government has shown its unwillingness to accept the primacy of science in the debate over drugs. . . .
Britain is losing its way, unmoored from its tradition of fair play, debate and respect for facts. Nutt's sacking was another milestone in Britain's progression from a great Enlightenment country into a place where prejudice reigns. Big Media has played its part, but so have timid, callow politicians. The dismissal demonstrates how profoundly disfigured our politics is becoming by a political class unwilling to stand up to the way public opinion is being manipulated.
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