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Straw's written constitution hint Straw's written constitution hint
(about 3 hours later)
Justice Secretary Jack Straw has sent out a strong signal that the government is ready to draw up Britain's first ever written constitution.Justice Secretary Jack Straw has sent out a strong signal that the government is ready to draw up Britain's first ever written constitution.
He said the move would encapsulate in one document a citizen's rights, their responsibilities and an outline of how the different arms of government work.He said the move would encapsulate in one document a citizen's rights, their responsibilities and an outline of how the different arms of government work.
He told the BBC the process could take 20 years and depend on a referendum.He told the BBC the process could take 20 years and depend on a referendum.
In a speech in the US later he will say most UK people "struggle to put a finger on where their rights are". In a speech in the US he said most UK people "struggle to put their finger on where their rights are".
Mr Straw is already working on a new Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, which could be used as the basis of a written constitution.Mr Straw is already working on a new Bill of Rights and Responsibilities, which could be used as the basis of a written constitution.
Careful thinking 'Scattered' rights
It would spell out an individual's obligations to society and place a new emphasis on the concept of civic duty.It would spell out an individual's obligations to society and place a new emphasis on the concept of civic duty.
He will concede that some aspects of a country's constitution should change to reflect the modern world - a remark interpreted as a reference to the difficulties of dealing with terror suspects. He concedes that some aspects of a country's constitution should change to reflect the modern world - a remark interpreted as a reference to the difficulties of dealing with terror suspects.
We can learn from the American example, particularly from the concept of civic duty Jack StrawJustice Secretary We can learn a great deal from the US example, particularly with regard to the enviable notion of civic duty Jack StrawJustice Secretary
Mr Straw, who oversaw the introduction of the controversial Human Rights Act when he was home secretary, will make the speech at George Washington University during a three-day visit to the US. Mr Straw, who oversaw the introduction of the controversial Human Rights Act when he was home secretary, outlined his thoughts in a speech at George Washington University during a three-day visit to the US.
He will say: "We now need to think very carefully about whether a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities should be a step towards a full written constitution, which would bring us in line with the most progressive democracies around the world. He said the UK could learn a great deal from the US constitutional system "with regard to the enviable notion of civic duty that seems to flow so strongly through American veins".
"It is made much easier to fulfil your civic duty when you have a clear sense of to what you belong and what it is expected from you."
Mr Straw says the constitution of the UK "is in our cultural DNA".
However, "most people might struggle go put their finger on what those rights are or in which texts they are located".
"The next stage in the UK's constitutional development is to look at whether we need better to articulate those rights which are scattered across a whole host of different places and indeed the responsibilities that go with being British."
Shifting position
Mr Straw said developments in the UK had been a "quiet revolution".
The Human Rights Act "was a landmark in the development of rights in the UK", but the question now was "whether this goes far enough", he said.
"We need now to think very carefully about whether a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities should be a step towards a fully written constitution, which would bring us in line with most progressive democracies around the world.
"But that is a debate for another time.""But that is a debate for another time."
Mr Straw says the constitution of the UK "exists in hearts and minds as much as it does in law". Earlier he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that if the government went for a full written constitution, it would take between 10 and 20 years to establish and would involve a referendum.
"But most people might struggle go put their finger on where their rights are."
Magna Carta
"The next stage is to look at whether we need to articulate those rights which are scattered across a whole host of places.
"We can learn from the American example, particularly from the concept of civic duty.
"We want to elevate them in a new status in a constitutional document.
"It is much easier to perform your civic duty when you have a clear sense of what is expected of you."
But he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that if the government went for a full written constitution, it would take between 10 and 20 years to establish and would involve a referendum.
Mr Straw's call for a debate on the matter marks a shift in the government's and his position. Last year he indicated he was no longer opposed to a written constitution.
'Constitutional convention''Constitutional convention'
The existing British constitution is contained in a wide range of written documents - tracing back to Magna Carta in 1215 - and common law.The existing British constitution is contained in a wide range of written documents - tracing back to Magna Carta in 1215 - and common law.
Mr Straw will say that developments in the UK had been a "quiet revolution", and that the Human Rights Act had been carefully drafted so it did not affect the constitution.
Liberal Democrat justice spokesman David Heath said: "The Liberal Democrats have long argued for a written constitution, subject to a national referendum.Liberal Democrat justice spokesman David Heath said: "The Liberal Democrats have long argued for a written constitution, subject to a national referendum.
"If ministers are serious... it should not be drafted behind closed doors by politicians but by a constitutional convention that includes members of the public."If ministers are serious... it should not be drafted behind closed doors by politicians but by a constitutional convention that includes members of the public.
"It is about time ministers trusted people and involved them in decision making, rather than just consulting them.""It is about time ministers trusted people and involved them in decision making, rather than just consulting them."