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Straw to flesh out reform plans Straw to flesh out reform plans
(about 2 hours later)
Justice Minister Jack Straw is to update MPs on government plans to reform the constitution.Justice Minister Jack Straw is to update MPs on government plans to reform the constitution.
He is expected to give more detail on proposals to overhaul the House of Lords and give Parliament the power to decide whether the UK goes to war.He is expected to give more detail on proposals to overhaul the House of Lords and give Parliament the power to decide whether the UK goes to war.
In his Commons statement on Thursday, Mr Straw is also likely discuss allowing MPs to scrutinise public appointments and choose bishops. In his Commons statement on Thursday, Mr Straw is also likely to discuss allowing MPs to scrutinise public appointments and choose bishops.
Gordon Brown first announced the plans shortly after he became prime minister.Gordon Brown first announced the plans shortly after he became prime minister.
'Bill of rights''Bill of rights'
At the time, he said he wanted the government to become a "better servant of the people".At the time, he said he wanted the government to become a "better servant of the people".
Mr Brown said public consultation could eventually lead to a "bill of rights".Mr Brown said public consultation could eventually lead to a "bill of rights".
KEY PROPOSALS Give MPs power to decide whether to wage warSetting up national security councilParliament to ratify international treatiesCommons committees for each English regionNew ministerial codePM no longer to choose Church of England bishopsElections moving from Thursday to weekendsMPs to hold hearings on key public appointmentsPeople to be consulted on possible 'bill of rights'Potential lowering of voting age to 16 Proposals at-a-glanceKEY PROPOSALS Give MPs power to decide whether to wage warSetting up national security councilParliament to ratify international treatiesCommons committees for each English regionNew ministerial codePM no longer to choose Church of England bishopsElections moving from Thursday to weekendsMPs to hold hearings on key public appointmentsPeople to be consulted on possible 'bill of rights'Potential lowering of voting age to 16 Proposals at-a-glance
Other plans included in the Governance of Britain document included elections at weekends - rather than Thursdays - and giving Parliament the power to ratify international treaties and oversight of the security services.Other plans included in the Governance of Britain document included elections at weekends - rather than Thursdays - and giving Parliament the power to ratify international treaties and oversight of the security services.
Mr Brown also said he was publishing a new ministerial code, with an adviser appointed to scrutinise ministerial conduct.Mr Brown also said he was publishing a new ministerial code, with an adviser appointed to scrutinise ministerial conduct.
He suggested the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 and changing the laws restricting the right to demonstrate in Parliament Square.He suggested the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 and changing the laws restricting the right to demonstrate in Parliament Square.
The proposed reforms followed suggestions that, under Tony Blair, the government had become too centralised.The proposed reforms followed suggestions that, under Tony Blair, the government had become too centralised.
The Tories said Labour had "damaged" trust in politics during its 10 years in power and that, as Mr Brown had been chancellor since 1997, he could not distance himself from the situation.The Tories said Labour had "damaged" trust in politics during its 10 years in power and that, as Mr Brown had been chancellor since 1997, he could not distance himself from the situation.