Does Britain have a written constitution?

Answer 1

Because there has never been a consensus on writing one. The UK has had stable government for centuries relying on conventions. A written constitution doesn't always make for stable, democratic or good governance (just look at Africa) and constitutions are often used by dictators to justify their actions.

Answer 2

Actually, the question is wrong. Britain does, and I mean, it DOES have a constitution.

The idea that Britain has an 'unwritten constitution' has been described by Professor Vernon Bogdanor, the country's leading constitutional expert, as 'misleading'. He was completely correct.

The rules about the country and its power ARE written down. They're just not written in one place.

The British constitution consists of several documents, including the Magna Carta (c. 1215), the Petition of Right Act (c. 1628), the Bill of Rights (c. 1689), the Act of Settlement (c.1701), the Parliament Acts (between 1911 and 1949) and the Representation of the People Act (1969).

There is also 'case law', when agreements and decisions in courts get added to the constitution. One example is the Case of Proclamations in 1611. This found out thet the king could not add a law just by announcing it.

The reason behind Britain's constitution not being a single document is to do with its age. Britain was originally called Pretannia (the Britons changed it to Bretannia, then the Romans changed it to Britannia), although it had no founders, so the constitution developed bit by bit.

Now please don't rebel. This is all true.

Partly quoted from The Second Book of General Ignoranceby John Lloyd and John Mitchinson

Answer 3

Because the UK is a parliamentary democracy. Britain's 'constitution' exists in the form of statutes, court judgements, treaties, parliamentary conventions and royal prerogatives. The basis of the British 'constitution' is parliamentary sovereignty, which means that statutes passed by parliament become supreme law.

Answer 4

The British don't have a constitution. They have a "common law system."

Answer 5

No- it has no Constitution of any sort, written or unwritten.

Answer 6

Yes it does.

Answer 7

Yes, it does have one.

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

No