http://www.opendemocracy.net/britain_s_future_labour_candidates_respond Comments for "Britain’s future: Labour candidates’ views, Anthony Barnett " en http://www.opendemocracy.net/britain_s_future_labour_candidates_respond <p class="western"> Four out of six of the candidates for Labour’s deputy-leader position favour a written constitution for the United Kingdom: Peter Hain, Harriet Harman and John Cruddas are unequivocal, while Alan Johnson supports the idea “in principle”; Hilary Benn has an “open mind” and suggests “a national debate”, while Hazel Blears replies that she is “agnostic because it hands power to judges”. </p> <p class="western"> Perhaps one of those sea-changes in British politics is underway whereby what was once completely unthinkable becomes “common sense” - and in the process its radical heart is bypassed. One experienced Labour insider to whom I showed the answers told me, “They are listening to their new master’s voice”. What struck me is that it is inconceivable that ten years ago leading and loyal members of Labour would have answered like this. Then small-“c” conservatism on this issue was utterly dominant - and it lives on still in the person of the present lord chancellor, Charlie Faulkner. But it seems that for a growing number of his colleagues, even if what they mean by a written constitution and how it might come about is unclear, the experience of office has radicalised the appetite for change not diminished it. </p>&nbsp;<a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/britain_s_future_labour_candidates_respond" class="read-more" title="Read the rest of this posting.">Read the rest of this post...</a><p><a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/britain_s_future_labour_candidates_respond">read more</a></p> http://www.opendemocracy.net/britain_s_future_labour_candidates_respond#comment democracy &amp; power Anthony Barnett Creative Commons normal ourkingdom Mon, 11 Jun 2007 00:00:10 +0100 admin 32994 at http://www.opendemocracy.net