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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.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoActually, 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
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoBecause 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.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThe British don't have a constitution. They have a "common law system."
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoNo- it has no Constitution of any sort, written or unwritten.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYes it does.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoYes, it does have one.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYes.
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoNo
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How does the government of Great Britain function without a written constitution?
Instead of a written constitution, Great Britain has traditions. When traditions are respected, they work just as well as a written constitution.
Why is Britain constitution different of other states?
The UK has no written constitution.
What is unusual about Britain's constitution?
Nothing. It's written.
Should Britain adopt written constitution?
Yes. No.
What is the constitution of the crown in Great Britain?
Loose collection of documents, law and norms, composed of Magna Carta, Bill of RIghts and Common Law.
What has the author Arthur Lehman Goodhart written?
Arthur Lehman Goodhart has written: 'The British constitution' -- subject(s): England, Great Britain, Great Britain. Parliament
What are the sources of the British constitution?
Britain doesn't have a written constitution but English law is based on the 1215 Magna Carta (Great Charter).
Which was written first-the constitutionn of the US or declaration of independence?
The Constitution was written first. The Constitution was written, signed, and sent to the states for ratification. The battle for ratification in New York was fierce, and the Papers were written to convince people that the Constitution was the way to go.
What has the author Philip Pusey written?
Philip Pusey has written: 'The new constitution' -- subject(s): Constitutional history, Politics and government, Great Britain, Great Britain. Parliament, Reform
Does great britain have a constitution?
The UK does not have a single, written document that they call their constitution. Instead, they have something called an 'uncodified constitution': a collection of customs, statutes, precedents, etc. that together form the fundamental rules of government.
The first wriiten constitution in America was the?
see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation
What has the author William Reynell Anson written?
William Reynell Anson has written: 'The law and custom of the constitution ..' -- subject(s): Accessible book, Great Britain
