Is it time Britain got a written constitution?

Boris	Couldn't agree with you more - the UK is one of the few countries without a Constitution. We need to clarify the basis on which our national institutions operate and our rights vis-a-vis those institutions. It would also link in with our national identity and allow Courts to more effectively regulate government action. To the people who think the Magna Carta is our constitution, that only really concerns Habeas Corpus, i.e. the right to be heard by a judge following arrest/imprisonment. The Queen would remain as ceremonial head of state - the proposed Constitution for Scotland does just this. Let's hope for some progress in this area, Brown has mentioned the possibility in his green paper setting out what he intends to do over the next 12 months.

ladymoonlight	No. We don't need one. how would it change our lives or make them better? It wouldn't. It would just be more pointless bureaucracy.

wpepper	It does seem awfully hodge podge, hey? Seemingly a nation strung together by no law and no constitution, UK is actually one of the most constitutional countries in the world, with a separation of powers other countries envy. England's common law is a compilation of drafts, codes, and documents that are the basis for it's long history of strict adherance to the spirit of the magna charta. The supervising body, the House of Lords, makes sure everything goes strictly by the rules. Case law in the U.S. is based on the British common law where every decision is based on presedent. If there is no prescedent, new law is made. The U.S. is still the model of freedom in the free world. But the British systme of law? To tinker with a system of such great diversity would be a tragedy. As a model for protecting its people, the British common law has been a beacon for the free world.

gunplumber_462	Ranger's right. When you've lost your right to self-defence, you're done. It's far too late now.

gilliegrrrl	You could write a Constitution, but that doesn't mean anyone would adhere to it. Our current administration has absolutely no regard for the Constitution and has repeatedly violated it. So it might be useful, but it just depends. Hey, what do you think of your new Prime Minister? Better than Blair, worse, or is it a "meet the new boss same as the old boss" kind of thing? I'd be interested to hear from an average Briton!

search_rescue_ranger	Isn't it a bit too late now? You've already lost your right to own a firearm. So right off the bat you can't demand anything from a stand point of strength. You still have a single family gobbling up huge amounts of the public wealth for their own use.....Royality.....bah! You can't seem to keep all the foreigners out. Your taxed at an un-godly rate unfairly, without recourse. Do you really think you can ever reverse the trend toward a Socialist State by peaceful means? Short of civil war I doubt you will ever get a citizen friendly constitution at this late date. I pray you will, but I hold little hope. .

trucker	ronan; you are right,however it will have to wait because there is nobody capapble of writing one at this time, because the hauls of power are riddled with traitors. to right a proper constitution needs honest loyal men of briton, but they are not forthcoming, we shall have to do something quickly though.

little nell	There are certainly a lot of things that could do with being changed. I would be all for a constitution in the UK but am cynical about it making any real difference.

Calum A	maybe it is but youll never stop 1500 years of tradition. i think its fine now if peolpe get out and vote ansd make the leaders listen. we need to fire a few to make them do what they are told. its a fine idea. i dont think you could get it done though

regerugged	We have had a written Constitution in the US since 1787. No one in the federal government, President or Congress bothers to abide by it. Politicians do what they want as long as they get away with it. Why bother to write a Constitution when it is almost impossible for the electorate to get elected officials to follow it?

Mr. X.	It's about time the UK had a sensible government!!!

joe bloe	What would you do with the Queen?

hibernianarcher	Gee, what ever happened to the Magna Carte?

David R	Isn't it tattood on Prince Charles' bum?