In terms of background, and at the risk of being booooring, please let me explain that one of the components of the British Constitution is called the "Doctrine of the Mandate".
This doctrine covers a lot of ground and a small part of what it refers to places a Constitutional onus on the government to consult as widely as possible before it does something. *ESPECIALLY* if the action has not been the topic of a debate prior to a national election. Hence, the BIA has exposed several consultations.
As Tristessa says, the reults can be dramtic. Please give her response a read, peeps...
