Anthony Barnett (London, OK): BREAKING NEWS Jack Straw leader of the House of Commons and Gordon Brown's campaign manager has come out for a written constitution. "I have changed my mind" he told us at the Smith Institute seminar this morning (see note below). It was filled with whitehall suits (and very few skirts) most of whom seemed unable to absorb what he said. Straw pointed out that Labour's reforms over ten years had written down parts of the constitution. Now filling in the dots is "something we have to do". Pam Giddy of the Power Inquiry challenged him and argued that what matters most is connecting any such process with the people through a popular convention. The idea of a convention, Straw responded "was really rather exciting". In his brief conclusion he said he was now convinced a written constitution was needed to ensure good citizenship. Can you trust him? Robert Hazell of the Constitution Unit, acting like a mandarin without a department, assured the room that a written constitution is "no panacea" (personally I have never met anyone who thought it was) and that "I am one of the realists who think we will never get one". That was the voice of the old establishment. But it seems that Gordon Brown has decided differently. You read it here first.

Please spread the news.