Should Britain have a codified constitution?

• Which two parties are against a codified constitution?

  The Conservatives and Labour
• Why are the Conservatives against a codified constitution?

  They are a party of tradition
• Why is Labour against a codified constitution?

  They prefer incremental changes
• Which political party wants a codified constitution?

  The Liberal Democrats
• What is an example of a pressure group fighting for a codified constitution?

  Unlock Democracy
• What is Unlock Democracy?

  An organisation which campaigns for ‘real democracy’ protected by a new constitution
• What is flexibility?

  Because it is not entrenched, the UK constitution is not protected from short-term amendments
• Why is flexibility a good thing?

  The constitution can respond to changing political and social circumstances without any major upheavals
• What is an example of flexibility?

  The peaceful transfer of prerogative powers from the monarch to the PM
• What is executive power?

  The PM and their government can deal with issues quickly and without inhibition
• Why is executive power a good thing?

   It allows Parliament to make decisions regarding sudden issues fast
• What is an example of executive power?

  The sudden passing of The Terrorism Act 2000, following the events of 9/11
• What is conservatism?

  The idea that our constitution has served us well for centuries. "If it ain't broke don't fix it"
• Why is conservatism a good thing?

  It promotes the idea that there is no need to change the constitution. The public have no issue with it being uncodified
• Why is Human Rights an argument for a codified constitution?

  There is a lack of safeguards and protections for individual and minority rights.
• What is an example of no safeguards on Human Rights?

  Suella Braverman wanting to take the UK out of the ECHR
• Why is executive power an argument for a codified constitution?

  Government and Parliament’s power is seen as excessive. Any law which the government want to implement, they can
• What is an example of excessive executive power?

  There is no complete separation of powers or real ‘checks and balances’
• Why is clarity an argument for a codified constitution?

  A codified constitution would increase public awareness and reduce political ignorance. More people would be encouraged to vote if they actually know what is it they are voting for
• What is an example of clarity?

  In the USA, the public pledge allegiance to their constitution as it is one, single, referable document.