Before dealing with the actual topic it is necessary to explain how the current
situation could arise. This will be done in the following with a very brief overview
over the history of the British constitution and its main sources.
The first document belonging to the constitution is the Magna Charta from 1215.
It was to protect the rights of the community against the Crown. As a result of the
Declaration of Rights the powers of Parliament were extended by the Bill of
Rights in 1689. Thirdly in 1832 was the Great Reform Bill which reformed the
system of Parliamentary representation. The last great reforms were in 1911 the
Parliament Act which decreased the power of the House of Lords and in1918 the
Representation of the People Act which gave women over 30 the right to vote. As
a result of this development the British people are not citizens as in any other
modern, democratic state but they are subjects of the Crown and accept the Queen
as their head of state.
It can be seen that the constitution dates back almost 800 years. This is much
more than many other constitutions, for example the German one. As one can
imagine it has undergone many grave changes. During the 18th century it was an
aristocratic 'balanced' constitution. In the course of the Victorian Age it became a
middle-class liberal constitution which developed to the liberal democratic constitution
that it is today. Furthermore a few words to the process of change have to
be said in advance. This process consists of dialogue between the forces of conservation
on the one hand and the forces of transformation on the other. The resulting
upshot is always a compromise which represents the terms and arrangements
on which a country can be ruled and which the people will accept.1
1 Coxall, Bill/Robins, Lynton: Contemporary British Politics. London: Macmillan Press Ltd, 1998,
p. 165
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Attitudes towards the constitution and its changes
2.1. Reforms of Parliament
2.2. Electoral Reform
2.3. Individual Rights
2.4. Devolution and regional government
2.5. Written constitution or not
3. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the ongoing process of constitutional change in Great Britain, analyzing the varying attitudes of major political parties and the impacts of recent reforms. It aims to determine how the British political system addresses demands for modernization while maintaining its unique, uncodified constitutional tradition.
- The historical development and sources of the British constitution.
- Parliamentary and electoral reforms, including the House of Lords.
- The incorporation of individual rights and the Freedom of Information Act.
- Devolution processes in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
- The debate surrounding the potential adoption of a written constitution.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Reforms of Parliament
The governing Labour Party introduced a “constitutional reform” programme during its first term (which can bee seen as its biggest achievement by the way). This can be put down to Labour’s general attitude towards constitutional changes, which can be characterised as ”Steps towards measured, sensible reforms of the ‘centralised, inefficient and bureaucratic’ system of government.” So according to the above mentioned theory the Liberals can be characterised as the ‘forces of transformation’ and the Conservatives as the ‘forces of conservation’, who want gradual improvement rather than radical changes. The Liberal Democrats set the “priority to restoring trust between people and government, renewing Britain’s democracy and giving the government back to the people”.
One of the most extensive reforms is the one of the House of Lords including a series of changes, which may come in action in the next term if the government accepts all proposals. Charter 88 calls the changes “a victory for those campaigning for a more democratic UK.” Stage one was to remove most of the hereditary peers. Only 92 were left to stay during a transitional period.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides a historical overview of the British constitution, tracing its origins from the Magna Charta to the modern democratic state.
2. Attitudes towards the constitution and its changes: Discusses the shifting political perspectives on constitutional reform and the influence of movements like Charter 88.
2.1. Reforms of Parliament: Examines proposed and enacted changes to the House of Lords and the modernization of legislative procedures.
2.2. Electoral Reform: Analyzes the debate regarding the current first-past-the-post system versus potential alternatives like Proportional Representation.
2.3. Individual Rights: Reviews the integration of the European Convention on Human Rights and the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
2.4. Devolution and regional government: Explores the establishment of devolved powers in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the challenges of regional governance.
2.5. Written constitution or not: Addresses the arguments for and against transitioning from an uncodified, flexible constitution to a formal written document.
3. Conclusion: Summarizes public perception and the varying levels of citizen interest regarding constitutional reform in Britain.
Keywords
British constitution, Parliament, House of Lords, Electoral Reform, Proportional Representation, Individual Rights, Human Rights Act, Devolution, Regional Government, Written constitution, Uncodified constitution, Charter 88, Political Reform, Democracy, Labour Party.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper explores the evolution of the British constitution, specifically focusing on the reforms undertaken by the Labour government and the differing viewpoints held by major political parties.
What are the core themes addressed in the work?
Key themes include parliamentary reform, electoral systems, the protection of individual rights, the devolution of power to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and the ongoing debate over creating a formal written constitution.
What is the central research question?
The research investigates how a system historically based on an uncodified, flexible constitution adapts to modern demands for democratic renewal and institutional transparency.
Which methodology is utilized?
The author employs a comparative analysis of political party manifestos, theoretical literature on British politics, and an examination of recent legislative developments.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section details specific areas of reform, such as changes to the House of Lords, electoral procedures, human rights legislation, and the impact of devolution policies.
How would you characterize the keywords of this paper?
The keywords reflect the intersection of traditional British governance, modern democratic reforms, and the specific political instruments being discussed, such as the Human Rights Act and Proportional Representation.
How does the author explain the significance of the "Charter 88" movement?
Charter 88 is highlighted as a critical independent organization that catalyzed the modern constitutional reform movement by advocating for democratic accountability and formal constitutional limits on parliamentary power.
Why does the author consider the role of the Lord Chancellor controversial?
The Lord Chancellor was viewed as a controversial figure because they traditionally held a unique position that concentrated legislative, executive, and judicial powers within a single office, which the modern reform aimed to address.
- Citar trabajo
- Maria Brüßler (Autor), 2003, Recent changes in the constitution of Great Britain, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/17113
