A British Bill of Rights?

Constitutional reform

A bill of rights and more powers for MPs

Tania Branigan, political correspondent
Saturday June 30, 2007 The Guardian

Gordon Brown will unveil proposals for sweeping constitutional reforms to increase the authority of parliament next week, after a lengthy discussion at a special cabinet meeting yesterday. Voters will be able to have their say on changes, such as increasing parliament's authority and publishing a bill of rights, the justice minister, Jack Straw, said.

Mr. Brown will lay out his plans to transfer powers away from No 10 in a statement to the Commons on Monday. The proposals took up much of yesterday's 1¾-hour cabinet meeting, with every minister contributing. Changes are likely to include drastic trimming of the royal prerogative, used by the prime minister with the purely formal agreement of the Queen.

To hear comedian Andy Borowitz's take on this, click here.