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Tom Watson has said ‘mob rule’ must not decide public contracts. Perhaps he should take a look at his new employer What a world we live in. Imagine: gangs dragging civil servants off commuter trains and beating them up because they handed government data jobs to the wrong contractor – and the government is changing its procurement decisions as a result. Well, OK, it might not have happened yet,…
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson warns against "mob rule" influencing public contracts, suggesting the government should consider the implications of its new employer. Picture this scenario: gangs attacking civil servants on commuter trains for making poor procurement decisions, and the government altering its choices based on those decisions.
While such an event may not have occurred yet, it's merely a matter of time before it does. Watson asks, "Do you want to let the rule of law lead procurement practice, or do you want mob rule to lead procurement practices?" The answer is clear: the former is preferred. Democracy, in its purest form, should drive procurement practices, not intimidation by crowds.
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