25 October 2007
Gordon Brown has announced the start of a national consultation to draw up a Bill of Rights and establish a written constitution.
In a speech on liberty at the University of Westminster, the PM said that the discussion would focus on how to "entrench and enhance" individual freedoms while also detailing the responsibilities "that flow from British citizenship".
Mr Brown expressed his hope that the debate be informed by all people and all viewpoints regardless of any political affiliation.
The PM said:
"The debate about a Bill of Rights and Duties will be of fundamental importance to our liberties and to our constitutional settlement and opens a new chapter in the British story of liberty.
"Indeed the character of our country will be defined by how we write the next chapter of British liberty - by whether we do so responsibly and in a way that respects and builds on our traditions, and progressively adds to and enlarges rather then reduces the sphere of freedom."
Earlier this year the Prime Minister signalled his desire to reform elements of British democracy, including the returning of certain powers from the executive (the Government) to Parliament. Today’s speech also contained a number of proposals on such changes as well as action to protect invidual liberties such as the right to protest and the right to privacy.
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