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How come watchdogs like the CMA or ICO stayed competent despite the incompetent Tories? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I imagine some of these agencies didn't exist before 2010, meaning they got staffed under the Tories. I know viewing the Tories as purely bad is a very simplistic way of looking at things, but when Boris was partying in Downing street and clearly resigning on his duties to protect the public, how come this level of resignation didn't seep into these govt. agencies? From the articles below it seems that even after 14 years fhey still have teeth. Are they independent enough to escape influence from the Cabinet?

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/20/the-big-tech-firms-want-an-ai-monopoly-but-the-uk-watchdog-can-bring-them-to-heel https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/national/24470785.data-watchdog-reprimands-school-facial-recognition-canteen-payments/

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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The ICO was established in the purely coincidental year of 1984.

Such bodies tend to operate independently from any government of the time and are often a thorn in their side.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Would it be too scandalous for governments to abolish (or subjugate) them if they already have a majority?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 months ago

A government can get rid of them, as in 2010's "Bonfire of the Quangos" (under the guise of austerity) but they can no longer meddle directly with Non-Departmental Public Bodies since the Nolan Report in 1995, which made sure the people appointed to them are truly independent.