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Constitutional plan to be set out Brown sets out reform proposals
(20 minutes later)
Gordon Brown is setting out his plans for a constitutional shake-up that he hopes will restore trust in politics. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he wants to give Parliament the right to decide whether the UK goes to war.
The prime minister is expected to give up his right to declare war without Parliament's approval and to propose a British bill of rights. Outlining a series of constitutional changes, he said the government would become "better servant of the people".
Mr Brown also says he wants to end the informal "sofa" government, which critics say existed under Tony Blair. He promised a "bigger role" for MPs in deciding public appointments and said the PM would no longer choose bishops.
The plans were due to be announced on Monday but were delayed while ministers responded to the terror alert. He also proposed Commons committees for each English region, said election day could be moved to weekends and he would create a national security council.
His proposals were not a "final blueprint" but a "route map" towards change, he said.
TreatiesTreaties
Mr Brown is expected to say he will give up royal prerogatives such as declaring war without parliamentary approval or appointing Church of England bishops. In his first address to the House of Commons as prime minister, Mr Brown said he would give up royal prerogatives such as declaring war without parliamentary approval or appointing Church of England bishops.
HAVE YOUR SAY A bill of rights might be a good idea. But if it's going to last it shouldn't be too prescriptive Sara, Edinburgh Send us your comments It is understood MPs will be given powers to recall Parliament in an emergency, to hold US-style confirmation hearings for appointees to important public posts and to ratify international treaties. HAVE YOUR SAY A bill of rights might be a good idea. But if it's going to last it shouldn't be too prescriptive Sara, Edinburgh Send us your comments
A bill of rights would set out the rights and responsibilities of UK citizens. He added that MPs would hold US-style confirmation hearings for appointees to important public posts - such as the chief inspector of prisons and the local government ombudsman - and to ratify international treaties.
Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Jack Straw will be responsible for seeing through any legislation needed for the changes. Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Jack Straw would be responsible for seeing through any legislation needed for the changes.
He told the BBC: "What we are looking at is sensible ways in which our overall constitutional arrangements can be improved, amended. Earlier, he told the BBC: "What we are looking at is sensible ways in which our overall constitutional arrangements can be improved, amended.
"It may sound like something rather technical and anoraky but is fundamentally about what kind of relationship people have with each other, in terms of the rights and responsibilities they have towards each other."It may sound like something rather technical and anoraky but is fundamentally about what kind of relationship people have with each other, in terms of the rights and responsibilities they have towards each other.
"And what sort of relationship they have with the institutions of the state, whether it's local government or national government.""And what sort of relationship they have with the institutions of the state, whether it's local government or national government."
Mr Brown has refused to discuss the details of his proposals, insisting that they should be outlined to Parliament first. Mr Brown has said a paper on the electoral system will be published at a later stage.
'Directly involved' In the past, he has said he is not personally persuaded of the case for proportional representation in Westminster elections but would welcome a debate on reform.
He said: "We had a very long discussion at the first Cabinet about the constitution, which involved every single member of the Cabinet.
There's no point in giving people a voice if they don't really have a say over public services Nick HerbertShadow justice secretary
"This is not what some people have called 'sofa government'. It is Cabinet government and the Cabinet ministers have got to be directly involved in decisions."
He indicated that his statement later would not cover voting reform, but said a paper on the electoral system would be published at a later stage.
In the past, he has said he is not personally persuaded of the case for proportional representation in Westminster elections but would welcome a debate on electoral reform.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell urged Mr Brown to promote constitutional reforms "setting out individual rights and limiting the power of the state".Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell urged Mr Brown to promote constitutional reforms "setting out individual rights and limiting the power of the state".
He said Commons select committees should get more powers to scrutinise parliamentary bills and for a "constitutional convention", involving members of the public, to discuss change.He said Commons select committees should get more powers to scrutinise parliamentary bills and for a "constitutional convention", involving members of the public, to discuss change.
People's voice
Sir Menzies added: "A piecemeal approach to constitutional change will not suffice anymore. Now is the moment for bold and radical reform."
Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said "citizens' juries" - where people give views on local issues - were not the answer.Shadow justice secretary Nick Herbert said "citizens' juries" - where people give views on local issues - were not the answer.
"There's no point in giving people a voice if they don't really have a say over public services. There's no point in giving people a voice if the government is going to be deaf.""There's no point in giving people a voice if they don't really have a say over public services. There's no point in giving people a voice if the government is going to be deaf."
He said the Conservative policy of "handing power down to the people" was a better option than centralising control under Labour.
Peter Facey, director of the Unlock Democracy campaign for constitutional reform, said: "Boosting the powers of select committees and ceding royal prerogative powers to Parliament are necessary steps, but in themselves woefully inadequate.Peter Facey, director of the Unlock Democracy campaign for constitutional reform, said: "Boosting the powers of select committees and ceding royal prerogative powers to Parliament are necessary steps, but in themselves woefully inadequate.
"Any programme that does not address House of Lords reform, electoral reform, devolution and, most importantly, the need for a comprehensive constitutional settlement is merely scratching the surface.""Any programme that does not address House of Lords reform, electoral reform, devolution and, most importantly, the need for a comprehensive constitutional settlement is merely scratching the surface."