One thing that is absolutely loved by governments who care more about staying perpetually fixed in their re-election campaigns rather than implementing progressive changes, is the allure of consultations. Every change worth making, which is well within its power to make, is constantly kicked down the road. This sees decisions being stalled due to the public’s misguided feelings being valued over verifiable facts. We see this time and time again.
There is a consultation for everything: LGBT rights, natural hairstyles, and more recently again, corporal punishment.