Fay Wilson wrote:
> I think they are waiting to see to what extent HMG agrees with Dame
> Janet. No point fighting unless you have something to fight about.
> Most negotiations are not done by press release. It is noteworthy
> that the Sec of State did not come straight to the House (as after
> Bristol) saying that they would implement all the recommendations.
Those are the kind of things I meant by "appreciate there are arguments in
favour of caution" and I don't remotely expect negotiation by press release.
On the other hand HMG are well used to the kind of 'dance' that needs to be
performed at times taking into account the responsibilities both sides have
to their constituencies. In negotiation as a profession though, we always
seem to work very hard to take account of the pressures, etc of 'the other
side' but not expect them to have to take account of our own. I just think
there are times when clear signals need to be sent to your own side and done
in a way that lets everyone know you mean business and that this can be done
diplomatically without entering into full scale warfare. Looking at it
another way, are the BMA/GPC really keeping low key in the hope that HMG are
going to quietly sweep the recommendations under the carpet? Reindeer may
fly but pigs?
Andy
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