Jane's profile

Jane Austin
Sydney, Australia
Joined this community on Mar 9, 2015
Age
50-59
Gender
Female
Highest level of Education
Postgraduate degree
Should the UK have a written codified constitution?
Yes
Draft Constitution
It is very comprehensive and possibly too long. There is also some duplication and too much detail in some places - getting very specific about tax in one area, for example. The statement about sharing common values and having most in common with European countries is limiting but also absurd. What about the Commonwealth and countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada who are teeming with British descendants and built on British values?
I disagree with the comment about taking into account the costs and affordability of ideas when putting together a Constitution. This is a document that establishes the vision and the principles and therefore should not be constrained by what may be affordable - that becomes a matter of choices made down the track. If for example, free education is a strong principle, it can be funded through higher taxes - Germany, Finland and other countries have all made this choice.
As for the monarchy,why modify the output of those who contributed to the project just because it may be unpalatable? This project has helped to move me from being a lifelong 'under-stated monarchist' to a republican. I'm over it. The fish rots from the head and there's something about British adherence to an elite, outmoded, privileged class that is completely at odds with a truly fair society founded on principles of equality. The Monarchy is the ultimate symbol of this and its tentacles of entitlement reach far and deep into British society.
In spite of my reservations, I'm giving it a thumbs up. Mainly because in a depressing sea of unquestioning dross, this document emerges as something of a vision, flawed as it is. Its day may not be now, but it WILL come.