Policy Search
Policy Search was a small think tank based in 14 Tufton Street in Westminster in the late 1980s. It provided a base for Christopher Monckton in 1987 and according to Monckton was associated with Sir Alfred Sherman and a number of others.[1] 14 Tufton Street is a building occupied in 2009 by Diocese in Europe.
Sherman
Sir Alfred Sherman was reported as 'chairman of Policy-Search, an independent policy studies centre.' at the end of an article he wrote in the guardian in april 1987[2] In a later article Policy search was referred to as 'a clearing-house for studies in decision-making and opinion-forming in public affairs.'[3]
HIV/AIDS
Monckton intervened in the debate about HIV/AIDs in the 1980s, writing an extensive report on the subject in 1987 for a little known group called Policy Search, with a preface by Dr. John Seale.[4] In an 'author's note' Monckton thanked Sir Alfred Sherman, Nigel Morgan, Melanie Walsh, Hilary West and Sergeant Graham Barton of Policy Search, who 'gave me an office at 14 Tufton Street, SW1 and a great deal of helpful advice and support'.[5] the note also thanks 'those who have read the manuscript and have made constructive comments': George Bunton, formerly a surgeon at University College Hospital, Dr. Jonathan de Pass, Andrew Roberts, Robert Fleming Securities Ltd, Dr Georges Kaye Cromwell Hospital, Dr. David O'Connell, Graham Webster-Gardiner, Conservative Family Campaign, Andrew Lownie, John Farquharson and Co..[6]
In it he advocated 'mandatory annual screening' for everyone aged 13-65[7], the introduction of an officially issued but voluntary 'AIDS-FREE card' and 'in extreme cases' the 'quarantining of AIDS carriers... if the figures from the national tests demonstrated that it was essential'.[8] Publicity on HIV and AIDS should be 'redrafted to include at least a modicum of morality', wrote Monckton.[9]
Years later Monckton reminisced:
- He would have averted the Aids epidemic (having produced 'probably the first working model for the transmission of this particular kind of retrovirus in the UK', he insisted to the cabinet on compulsory testing of adults, legally enforced 'restricted association' for people who were HIV positive, but nothing was done). 'Lobby groups howled. The homosexual lobby said we know you, you're a Catholic, you don't like queers.'[10]
Le Pen
In 1987 Sherman and Policy Search were involved in inviting Jean-Marie Le Pen to the Conservative Party conference:
- Sir Alfred Sherman... one-time adviser and speechwriter to Mrs Thatcher, is no longer a member of the Downing Street inner circle. Next month he looks like falling further out of favour.
- How so? Because he is expected to be seen around Blackpool during the Conservative conference in company with a highly embarrassing guest. Policy Search, a research firm with which Sir Alfred has links, is organising the advertised visit of Jean Marie Le Pen, ultra-right-wing leader of the French National Front, to the conference fringe.
- Mr Le Pen and a number of other right-wing French deputies are to meet the press, and will address their own fringe meeting on the final evening of the conference - the day before the Prime Minister's triumphal address to the closing rally.
- Sir Alfred insists that Le Pen is neither a fascist nor a racist, that the poor chap has been much misunderstood and that he will one day be President of France. Whether or not Mrs Thatcher shares this view, it is unlikely that she will be grateful to her old ally for using her very own victory celebration to prove his point.[11]
