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Straw to flesh out reform plans Straw fleshing out reform plans
(40 minutes later)
Justice Minister Jack Straw is to update MPs on government plans to reform the constitution. Justice Minister Jack Straw is briefing MPs on government proposals 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 at 1130BST, Mr Straw is also likely to propose allowing MPs to scrutinise public appointments and choose bishops. In his Commons statement, Mr Straw is also likely to propose 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". Mr Straw said the government had published three consultation documents on constitutional reform.
Mr Brown said public consultation could eventually lead to a "bill of rights". These set out proposals to give MPs the final say over war and international treaties, judicial appointments and easing restrictions on protest in Parliament Square.
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
The government will later publish three consultation documents on constitutional reform. Mr Brown is due to make a major speech later to the human rights group Liberty, on rights and responsibilities in modern Britain.
The proposals are expected to include an easing of the restrictions on protests near Parliament and a limited role for MPs in confirming public appointments.
Gordon Brown is also due to make a major speech later to the human rights group Liberty, on rights and responsibilities in modern Britain.
He is expected to reject Tory calls to scrap the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.He is expected to reject Tory calls to scrap the Human Rights Act, which incorporates the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law.
'Rights of others''Rights of others'
Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, Jack Straw said the Human Rights Act was based on British values such as the right to a fair trial and free speech.Speaking at the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth, Jack Straw said the Human Rights Act was based on British values such as the right to a fair trial and free speech.
He said a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities would "build on the Human Rights Act" but would "bring out more clearly the responsibility we owe to each other - above all to observe the law and to respect the rights of others".He said a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities would "build on the Human Rights Act" but would "bring out more clearly the responsibility we owe to each other - above all to observe the law and to respect the rights of others".
In its Green Paper, the Governance of Britain, published in July, the government says: "A Bill of Rights and Duties could give people a clear idea of what we can expect from our public authorities, and from each other, and a framework for giving practical effect to our common values".In its Green Paper, the Governance of Britain, published in July, the government says: "A Bill of Rights and Duties could give people a clear idea of what we can expect from our public authorities, and from each other, and a framework for giving practical effect to our common values".
But it added: "If specifically British rights were to be added to those we already enjoy by virtue of the European Convention, we would need to be certain that their addition would be of real benefit to the country as a whole and not restrict the ability of the democratically elected government to decide upon the way resources are to be deployed in the national interest".But it added: "If specifically British rights were to be added to those we already enjoy by virtue of the European Convention, we would need to be certain that their addition would be of real benefit to the country as a whole and not restrict the ability of the democratically elected government to decide upon the way resources are to be deployed in the national interest".
Other proposals 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 proposals 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.
Citizens' rightsCitizens' rights
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.
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.
Conservative leader David Cameron wants to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.Conservative leader David Cameron wants to replace the Human Rights Act with a British Bill of Rights.
A future Conservative government would not withdraw from the European convention so people could still take their claims to the Strasbourg courts if they do not feel they have won justice in Britain.A future Conservative government would not withdraw from the European convention so people could still take their claims to the Strasbourg courts if they do not feel they have won justice in Britain.
But Mr Cameron wants a Bill of Rights specifically tailored to British customs and traditions, setting out citizens' rights.But Mr Cameron wants a Bill of Rights specifically tailored to British customs and traditions, setting out citizens' rights.