Should the UK adopt a written constitution?

[theotherguy]

More questions gleaned from my study of the government of the UK in my political science class. The UK has an unwritten constitution. What is considered "constitutional" is merely what falls in line with previous decisions made by parliament. By that standard, the powers of parliament are potentially limitless and unchecked. There is no independent executive, and the court system does not have the power to nullify acts passed by parliament. There is also no garuntee of civil liberties.

There are a lot of potential problems with this, but it also makes parliament a powerful and effective institution.

So, should the UK retain its traditional non-constitutional status, or should it create a new written constitution with specified limits on the power of parliament, guaranteed civil liberties, and a long and arduous amendment process?

 

[repiV]

Interesting that you should raise the question, it's something I've thought about lately.

The UK needs a constitution, but I can't think of any worse circumstance to have it written under than by the instruments of the authoritarian nanny state we currently suffer.
Ultimately, any constitution will be a reflection of the values and ideals of its authors - and the values and ideals of the Labour government are both repugnant and completely unrepresentative of British opinion. I would sooner continue with no constitution than to have these twisted values enshrined in law and historical precedent; no modern politician is deserving of the task of creating a UK constitution. The whole point of which would be to safeguard our essential liberties, yet never in the history of modern democracy have we had a government so destructive to our freedoms, so essentially Soviet in their thought patterns.

Totally the wrong people for the job.

 

[Atomic_Piggy]

I don't think so. We're managing fine without it, and there is way to many seperate views to create one that appeases even some people.

 

[Solaris]

No, becuase if repriV wrote it, I'd go nuts, and vice versa.

 

[Beerdude26]

Because if repiV wrote it, I'd go nuts, and vice versa.

Haha I'm sure that's one thing both of you agree upon

 

[Eejit]

Nah, if Parliament gets out of hand the royals can still wtfpwnbbq them.

 

[Pressure]

Why? United Statesians have one and the Government just shits all over it destroying all kinds of civil liberties. Keeping the Government in check my ass.