Time for a British Constitution?
Usually I would oppose any such suggestion of Britain signing up to a codified Constitution such as the one in the US. I, for example, dislike the way under such a constitution unelected judges can overturn laws made by elected representatives. Furthermore, I am usually swift to dismiss the argument that it protects the people from the government – both the USSR and Nazi Germany had Constitutions, and what finer why is there for protecting the people than being able to vote out one parliament and replace it with another – while it maintaining the ability to pass any laws necessary.
However, recent events in the US seem to be nudging me in to reconsidering my position on the matter. People and states are using the Constitution to limit the power and role of the Federal Government (See the 9th and 10th Amendment), the people are starting to say “Where did the Founding Fathers set out that the Federal Government have the power to impose the health care system?”. The Constitution it would appear is performing its primary function – to limit big government by setting out exactly what it can and can’t do.
I’m not in any way trying to suggest that merely writing a Constitution would solve all of Britain’s problems – it won’t – but perhaps the Old World could learn something of the New. The main problem I now see is I don’t believe there is anyone with the capability to write such a document, no modern day politician quite measures up to the likes of Jefferson or Madison. Having seen one suggestion for a new Bill of Rights and Responsibility I could see any attempt to give Britain a Constitution would see the problem of too much government trying to be solved with more government (well it would make sense to Brown I suppose – solve the problem of debt with more debt?).
Tea Party anyone?
Read Full Post | Make a Comment ( None so far )
