Ministry of Justice
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Jack Straw welcomes a year of constitutional progress
Justice Secretary Jack Straw today marked the one year anniversary of the Government's constitutional change programme and said the progress made was a major step forward in renewing Britain's democracy.
Jack Straw, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, said:
"Constitutional renewal may on the face of it seem a dry area, not directly affecting our day to day lives. But in fact the issues we have focused on in the last 12 months are helping to forge a new relationship between government and citizen, and ensuring that power is placed where it should be: with Parliament and therefore with the people. I am delighted by the progress we have made, with more to come.
"One year since we published the Governance of Britain Green Paper we have consulted widely on a range of important constitutional questions, including on Parliament's role in decisions on the deployment of the Armed Forces into conflict. I have introduced a draft Constitutional Renewal Bill and we have established a Youth Citizenship Commission.
"This builds on fundamental reforms carried out by the Government since 1997 including devolution for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the transformation of the role of the Lord Chancellor, the introduction of a Supreme Court, the Human Rights Act and the Freedom of Information Act."
In a statement to the House of Commons Mr Straw said that on 3 July 2007 the Prime Minister set out a route map for further constitutional reform, to strengthen the relationship between government, Parliament and the citizen, and to take steps towards a new constitutional settlement.
Mr Straw said renewing our democracy is at the heart of the reforms, building a new relationship between citizens and government and ensuring that the rights of individuals are respected.
He continued that the Government is committed to surrendering or limiting powers which it considers should not, in a modern democracy, be exercised exclusively by the executive.
It has carried out consultations on Parliament's role in decisions relating to the deployment of the Armed Forces into armed conflict and the ratification of treaties, the role of the Attorney General, government's role in judicial appointments, protest around Parliament and the flying of the Union Flag.
Alongside the responses to the Government's 2004 consultation on the Civil Service, these consultations informed the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill and White Paper, which is now being considered by a Joint Committee.
He said the draft Constitutional Renewal Bill contains important measures to strengthen Parliament and make government more accountable to the people it serves.
He added the Government also wants Parliament to have the right to take the final decision about committing armed forces in to conflict.
The Government is committed to rebalancing power between Parliament and government, and giving Parliament greater ability to hold government to account.
It is also vital that our institutions are legitimate, trusted and responsive to the people they serve.
Mr Straw said the Government believes that a clearer understanding of the common core of rights, responsibilities and values that go with British citizenship will help build our sense of shared identity and social cohesion.
In addition, Lord Goldsmith's Review of Citizenship was launched on 5 October 2007 and reported to the Prime Minister in March 2008.
Constitutional renewal in the UK is a long-term dialogue, Mr Straw said, and in the coming months:
* The Government will publish a White Paper setting out proposals for fundamental reform of the House of Lords, and
* Communities and Local Government will publish a White Paper setting out the Government's proposals to empower individuals and communities by involving them in the design and delivery of local public services and promoting civic and democratic life.
Notes to editors
1. The Governance of Britain Green Paper was published on 3 July 2007. A copy can be found at http://www.officialdocuments.gov.uk/document/cm71/7170/7170.asp.
2. The Governance of Britain website can be seen at http://governance.justice.gov.uk/.
News Release
http://www.justice.gov.uk
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