DEBATES ON CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM
THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT BRITAIN SHOULD KEEP ITS UNCODIFIED CONSTITUTION:
FOR KEEPING THE UNCODIFIED CONSTITUTION:
- It is pragmatic
- Flexible adaptation of our constitution has worked well
- There is no agreed process for establishing a codified constitution
- There is no elite consensus on what a codified constitution should include
- A codified constitution be too rigid and difficult to amend
- All codified constitution protects the sovereignty of parliament
- Keeps judges off the political arena whilst elevating the authority of elected politicians which
is democratic
- A codified constitution would give judges who are unaccountable greater political power
- There is no demand for a constitution that is codified
- There are more pressing matters to deal with
- This system already works and has been in place for a long time
AGAINST KEEPING THE UNCODIFIED CONSTITUTION:
- Dangers of important constitutional changes being made with nothing more than a normal
legislative process
- Only required a simple majority to change things like the House of Lords devolution and Eu
referendum
- A codified constitution would provide greater clarity on what is constitutional and not
- Would be clearer and more authoritative reference point for the courts
- A codified constitution would set limits on the powers of the state
- A codified constitution would provide greater protection for the rights of citizens
- It would better inform citizens about the values and workings of the political system
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM SINCE 1997:
POSITIVE:
- The judiciary can now be said to be genuinely independent
- Power has been decentralising through regional and city devolution
- Proportional representation for elections to devolved assemblies has improved democracy
and participation
- Elected mayors improve local democracy
- Citizens’ rights are now better protected
- Freedom of Information Act has been established
- Increase use of referendums has extended popular democracy
- The House of Lords is now more effective body
- Fixed term parliament Act as weakened executive power (perhaps good as it takes away
some parliament's power )
THIS HOUSE BELIEVES THAT BRITAIN SHOULD KEEP ITS UNCODIFIED CONSTITUTION:
FOR KEEPING THE UNCODIFIED CONSTITUTION:
- It is pragmatic
- Flexible adaptation of our constitution has worked well
- There is no agreed process for establishing a codified constitution
- There is no elite consensus on what a codified constitution should include
- A codified constitution be too rigid and difficult to amend
- All codified constitution protects the sovereignty of parliament
- Keeps judges off the political arena whilst elevating the authority of elected politicians which
is democratic
- A codified constitution would give judges who are unaccountable greater political power
- There is no demand for a constitution that is codified
- There are more pressing matters to deal with
- This system already works and has been in place for a long time
AGAINST KEEPING THE UNCODIFIED CONSTITUTION:
- Dangers of important constitutional changes being made with nothing more than a normal
legislative process
- Only required a simple majority to change things like the House of Lords devolution and Eu
referendum
- A codified constitution would provide greater clarity on what is constitutional and not
- Would be clearer and more authoritative reference point for the courts
- A codified constitution would set limits on the powers of the state
- A codified constitution would provide greater protection for the rights of citizens
- It would better inform citizens about the values and workings of the political system
POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DEVELOPMENT IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM SINCE 1997:
POSITIVE:
- The judiciary can now be said to be genuinely independent
- Power has been decentralising through regional and city devolution
- Proportional representation for elections to devolved assemblies has improved democracy
and participation
- Elected mayors improve local democracy
- Citizens’ rights are now better protected
- Freedom of Information Act has been established
- Increase use of referendums has extended popular democracy
- The House of Lords is now more effective body
- Fixed term parliament Act as weakened executive power (perhaps good as it takes away
some parliament's power )
