On Writing a Constitution

In: Parliamentary affairs: a journal of representative politics, Band 44, Heft 4, S. 558-571

Abstract

The formation of the European Community puts pressure on the UK to address questions about the relationship between England & the other UK nations, as well as about general constitutional theory & the doctrine of parliamentary supremacy. These national & constitutional issues are linked, since discussion of constitutional issues will bring national issues to the public foreground. A model of a future constitution is emerging wherein Parliament will retain supremacy, but will be rebalanced via proportional representation & institution of an elected second chamber, with extended powers to replace the House of Lords. Difficulties in this proposed constitution with the representation of Scotland & Wales are discussed. Twelve innovations for a written constitution are proposed, based on the assumptions that the present executive is too powerful, & that general decentralization should take place. M. Pflum