What does it take to make good government policy?

What if the key to effective government policy isn’t locked in a room, guarded by a few brilliant minds, but instead lies scattered across society, waiting to be gathered by those who know where to look?

When I joined the Civil Service - and particularly before leading UK international engagement - I admit to having an antiquated view that the Civil Service meant middle-aged white men in bowler hats carrying umbrellas. This may have once been the reality of the policy profession in government, a field once shrouded in secrecy and dominated by "gifted amateurs" who were believed to possess the answers by sheer intellect alone. But as the complexity of the world has grown, so too has my understanding that effective policy-making demands more than homogeneity and intelligence; it requires a professional approach that is inclusive, methodical, and consistent.

In today’s world, the best policy-makers are not those who claim to have all the answers and share the same experiences and background, but those who know how to ask the right questions—and more importantly, where to find the answers. The most effective policies today mark a shift from a closed, top-down model to one that embraces diversity of thought and expertise has transformed the policy profession into a dynamic field where collaboration is key.

The Open Approach: Galvanising Opinion from Across Society

Gone are the days when policy was developed in isolation, where a single expert would retreat into a quiet office and emerge with a solution. Today’s policy-making is about reaching out, engaging with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, and galvanizing opinions from all corners of society. This approach acknowledges that the most effective solutions are often those that draw on a wide range of perspectives and experiences.

For example, when developing policies on climate change, governments have increasingly turned to a diverse array of voices—scientists, economists, industry leaders, and activists—to craft strategies that are not only scientifically sound but also economically viable and socially acceptable. By bringing together these different types of knowledge, policy-makers can create advice that is robust, well-rounded, and more likely to succeed in the real world.

Professionalisation: Moving Beyond the Gifted Amateur

The idea that anyone with a sharp mind can craft policy is increasingly outdated. In its place is the recognition that policy-making is a profession requiring a specific set of often transferable skills. These skills include analytical thinking, the ability to synthesise complex information, stakeholder engagement, and clear communication. The modern policy-maker must be a jack-of-all-trades, able to navigate the intricate web of knowledge that informs government decisions.

Take the example of healthcare policy. Crafting effective healthcare policy requires an understanding of medical science, economics, ethics, and public administration. It’s not enough to be well-versed in just one area; policy-makers must integrate insights from all these fields to develop policies that improve health outcomes, manage costs, and uphold ethical standards. This level of complexity demands a professional skill set, one that goes beyond the capabilities of a "gifted amateur."

Consistency: Ensuring Quality Across the Board

One of the most significant challenges in the policy profession is maintaining consistency in the quality of advice. Ministers have lamented to me the variability in policy advice, where pockets of excellence are overshadowed by instances of subpar work. The goal should be to ensure that all policy advice meets the highest standards, regardless of who wrote it or which department it comes from.

To achieve this, governments must implement rigorous checks and evidential standards. Best practices from countries like New Zealand and Canada, where systematic policy quality frameworks are in place, offer valuable lessons. These frameworks often include peer reviews, standardised evaluation criteria, and continuous professional development for policy-makers. Such measures help ensure that the advice ministers receive is consistently reliable, well-evidenced, and actionable.

Conclusion: Towards a Better Policy Profession

As the policy profession continues to evolve, the focus must remain on openness, professionalism, and consistency. By galvanising opinion from across society, equipping policy-makers with the necessary skills, and ensuring high standards across the board, governments can develop policies that are not only effective but also equitable and sustainable.

So, the next time you hear about a new government policy, ask yourself: Who was involved in its creation? How were different perspectives incorporated? And, most importantly, how consistent is it with the best practices of the policy profession? The answers to these questions may well determine the policy’s success.