A WRITTEN CONSTITUTION

Early day motion 219, tabled 8 October 2001 by Paul Marsden (Labour). Signed by 9 members.

That this House notes the Royal Prerogative powers of the Prime Minister allow him to go to war without a vote cast in Parliament; urges the Prime Minister to set up a parliamentary committee to develop a written constitution for the United Kingdom that will review the voting system to increase public participation, fixed term parliaments and prime ministers, a right of parliament to recall itself, a right of parliament to veto government actions, a right of parliament to veto military action, a strengthened select committee system, a fully elected second chamber, prime ministerial appointments to be approved by parliamentary committees, ending the dominant role of party whips to allow backbenchers real freedom to debate and vote on issues and develop a system of public petitioning to increase the accountability of government, reduce the power of the executive; and deliver a modern, accessible parliament relevant to the twenty-first century.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 5, Labour 4.