UK Sustainable Development Commission needs to do better research ...

The UK Sustainable Development Commission is the UK Government’s independent watchdog on sustainable development.

Pity their research skills aren't much better than those of a 5 year old.

On page 7 of their report SDC response to National Framework for Greater Citizen engagement (October 2008), there's a very interesting footnote:

14. A recent referendum in Queensland, Australia on use of recycled water during the drought illustrates the point well: A referendum returned a ‘no’ vote, but then a blogging campaign – with both sides participating and exploring the full range of views in a deliberative way - resulted in a ‘yes’ the second time round. http://4350water.blogspot.com/2008/09/4350water-blog-recent-search-terms.html.

See - SDC report - Footnote 14 is completely wrong.

The SDC uses this to justify the use of their Framework as an opportunity for participation to help achieve sustainable solutions and go beyond referenda, which can be limited in their ‘deliberative’ potential. If referenda are off the political agenda, it becomes even more important to consider how to use engaged methods to work with the public to make and implement decisions.

Oops.

Are they serious? Doesn't anyone at the SDC do any actual research?

A referendum returned a ‘no’ vote, but then a blogging campaign – with both sides participating and exploring the full range of views in a deliberative way - resulted in a ‘yes’ the second time round?

32,330 voters in Toowoomba remember it slightly differently.

The blogging campaign against the Toowoomba City Council's propaganda campaign came before the referendum returned a No vote and there was no second referendum.

4350water blog encourages government agencies to cite the 4350water blog as part of their research but would prefer them to use employees with sufficient IQ lest mistakes occur ...