Sham Consultations no substitute for Direct Democracy

 From Ulez to pylons, ‘consultations’ are being used to quash opposition (PayWall)

Sham 'Consultations' no substitute for Democracy

Governments love to prove their democratic credentials by holding 'consultations' on any legislative project. But usually the general public - apart from the off activists or self-interested lobbies - is blissfully ignorant of these exercises. And no one is any the wiser or aware what impact his or her input really had.
Just take a look at this EU-inspired consultation and try to monitor what effect - if any - it had.
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/content/consultation-initiative-combatting-fraud-counterfeiting-non-cash-payment_en

How not to run a referendum - Londoners support Crossrail 2

It may not be a referendum but this public 'consultation' is the closest that the citizens of London get to be able to have a say in this significant infrastructure project that may cost £ 12 billion (probably much more when the final sum is calculated). The problem is that this is the wrong kind of populist politics as the citizens will always be 'for' some initiative that looks to make their life easier - as long as they are not also asked to sign for higher taxes.

Sham Consultations no substitute for referendum

Many countries require governments to hold consultations before legislation is enacted. In some countries they are optional and (ab) used by governments to deflect criticism and give the illusion that they consider the opinions of those directly affected by new legislation. In either case the outcome of these consultations often is disregarded. The only proper consultation therefore is a binding referendum.