Secrecy, being an instrument of conspiracy, ought never to be the system of a regular government.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
Politicians often claim secrecy is necessary for good governance or national security.
If governments did not mislead their citizens so often, there would be less need for secrecy, and if leaders knew they could not rely on keeping the public in the dark about what they are doing, they would have a powerful incentive to behave better.
It is up to the government to keep the government's secrets.
The government's instinct is to shroud itself in secrecy - to act like the office of a president instead of as a collective cabinet government held to account by the elected House of Commons.
We don't need secrecy.
I believe good governments have nothing to hide. We want to ensure we maintain confidence in our public institutions.
I never knew a government yet that wanted to do anything.
The governments of the present day have to deal not merely with other governments, with emperors, kings and ministers, but also with the secret societies which have everywhere their unscrupulous agents, and can at the last moment upset all the governments' plans.
Secrecy is the freedom tyrants dream of.
Secrecy is the foundation of politics.