UCL Constitution Unit delivers advice to Gordon Brown

The paper, written by Professor Robert Hazell with contributions from Mark Glover, Akash Paun and Meg Russell, outlines the options for constitutional reform for the new leader as he enters Number 10, and recommends policy initiatives for his first 100 days, his first two years and, possibly, for the next parliament.

Gordon Brown has spoken about constitutional reform throughout his political career, and has made specific references to constitutional issues in the build-up to taking office.

During Tony Blair's premiership, a number of important reforms were passed, such as devolution in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the Human Rights Act, and some reform of the House of Lords. The briefing notes that: "Britain could be poised for a second big wave of constitutional reforms following Tony Blair's departure."

The briefing quotes a recent speech by Gordon Brown, given at the beginning of his leadership campaign, in which he said: "Over the coming months, I want to build a shared national consensus for a programme of constitutional reform that strengthens the accountability of all who hold power; that is clear about the rights and responsibilities of being a citizen in Britain today; that defends the union and is vigilant about ensuring the hard won liberties of the individual ... " He has also spoken about improving public trust in government, and about the importance of 'Britishness' in terms of shared values.

The briefing deals with the framework for reform, and looks at policy options in several key areas: Conduct of the Executive, Parliamentary reform, devolution, electoral reform and the funding of political parties, a British bill of rights, the judiciary and the courts, and freedom of information.

Robert Hazell is Professor of Government and the Constitution at UCL and Director of the Constitution Unit within the School of Public Policy. He founded the Constitution Unit in 1995 as an independent think-tank specialising in constitutional reform. Professor Hazell was vice chairman of the Hansard Society Commission on Parliamentary Scrutiny (2001), and the Independent Commission on Proportional Representation (2004). He has four times acted as Specialist Adviser to the Commons Public Administration Select Committee. He was awarded a CBE in 2006 for services to constitutional reform.

To find out more and to read the briefing paper, follow the link at the bottom of this item.

Links:

• UCL Constitution Unit