Bring on the Constitution
The new Cabinet has met to discuss proposals for a new constitutional convention to include a Bill of Rights. Brown will make a statement in the House of Commons on Monday to announce the start of a process towards a constitutional convention
This is a welcome step and we should all look forward to constructively engaging in the debate around the new constitutional convention - something for which we have been arguing for some time.
We need to empower people so that they have enforceable social rights to healthcare, housing and welfare provision. This means restoring legal aid so that everyone has access to the courts. It means reversing the authoritarian drift under Blair. It means industrial democracy, and the same rights for British workers that are enjoyed by our European counterparts.
Ultimately this constitutional convention must mean a thorough-going democratisation of our society, leaving behind the tokenistic language of choice, and replacing it with rights.
As I wrote in Another World is Possible:
"We need a new constitutional settlement for the 21st century. This should focus on developing a dynamic and explicit democratic framework of positive civil, social and political rights. These would create the opportunities for people to take more control of their lives and determine the quality of the world they live in."
This is a welcome step and we should all look forward to constructively engaging in the debate around the new constitutional convention - something for which we have been arguing for some time.
We need to empower people so that they have enforceable social rights to healthcare, housing and welfare provision. This means restoring legal aid so that everyone has access to the courts. It means reversing the authoritarian drift under Blair. It means industrial democracy, and the same rights for British workers that are enjoyed by our European counterparts.
Ultimately this constitutional convention must mean a thorough-going democratisation of our society, leaving behind the tokenistic language of choice, and replacing it with rights.
As I wrote in Another World is Possible:
"We need a new constitutional settlement for the 21st century. This should focus on developing a dynamic and explicit democratic framework of positive civil, social and political rights. These would create the opportunities for people to take more control of their lives and determine the quality of the world they live in."
posted by John at 7:56 AM
2 Comments:
Dear John
We (those of that diminishing band in the Labour Party) might do better if we practice what we preach.
Go to
http://www.savethelabourparty.org/
to find out more
see "What Courage Really Means..." a recent speech by Billy Hayes CWU sec on how Brown differs from his hero RFK - (there was an article about Brown/RFK in the Mirror lately)on www.billyhayes.co.uk. The speech makes the point that RFK had to stand on an anti-war platform against his party let alone all his other critics but Brown does not have such guts. I recently saw the "Bobby" DVD and was reminded of RFK's words announcing his candidacy that he felt he HAD to run; there was no alternative for him morally. Brown may get a summer bounce but he is deluding himself if thinks he os of the calibre of a RFK. A Bill of Rights would be good if it ever happens as he's quite capable of bogging it down in didgy consultations till he gets rid of any bits he dosen't like and just focusing on overdue things/crowd pleasers like weekend voting and not getting to grips with the really thorny issues.
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