> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Brown And Straw defend renewal - URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/brown-defends-renewal/ - Published: 2008-07-03T14:07:22.000Z - Updated: 2019-02-14T22:41:04.000Z - Author: Anthony Barnett - Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 18:41 **Anthony Barnett (London,** [**OK**](https://www.opendemocracy.net/http/ourkingdom.opendemocracy.net)**):** The Prime Minister appeared before the liason committee of chairs of Commons select committees this morning. Seems pretty sad. I am reproing below the blog account from [the Guardian's Andrew Sparrow](http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/07/brown%5Fquizzed%5Fby%5Fsenior%5Fmps%5Fli.html?ref=opendemocracy.net) of the initial section of the proceedings on so-called 'constitutional renewal'. The question from Vaz is amusing. His reference to the governership of Burmuda is taken from [Diane Abbott's speech ](http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-06-11a.314.0&s=Diane+abbott&ref=opendemocracy.net#g379.2)in the 42 days debate, when she said that the House of Commons on the Labour side had been reduced to a "baazar". if you saw the clip after yesterday's PMQ when Vaz denied he had been offered a knighthood as his 'appropriate reward' but said there was still time, you may have noticed Abbott sitting right behind him - with an expression of grim satisfaction. Then what should drop into my mailbox but the press release from Jack Straw. I am reproing this in full as it is his overview of the years work on the Green Paper. This is his first para, though: "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. As I argue in [What do we do now?](https://www.opendemocracy.net/article/ourkingdom/what-do-we-do-now) however fine their early intentions, the government's 42 days debacle has evacuated parliament of its autonomy. A friend said to me yesterday, "The Commons is a busted flush". **Gordon Brown on Constitutional renewal** **Alan Williams**, the committee chairman, opens the session. He says they're going to start with constitutional renewal, with the questioning led by **Sir Patrick Cormack**. Cormack starts with some light questions about whether Brown is still enjoying the job, and whether he gets any sleep. Brown says he gets "plenty of sleep". Not what the Whitehall gossip says. **10.05am** Brown says he is transferring powers to parliament. But Cormack wants to know why the government continues to timetable legislation (limiting the amount of time MPs can debate bills). "You are preventing the executive being called fully to account," says Cormack. **10.10am** **Alan Beith** asks about the plans to change the role of the attorney general. Brown says that, under the plans in the [constitutional reform](http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/constitution?ref=opendemocracy.net) bill, the attorney general will not be involved in prosecution decisions, unless national security is involved. But Beith says there will still be a "conflict of interest", because the attorney general has a political role and a legal role. Brown gets testy with this line of questioning. "I don't know if these microphones are working well enough," he says, before going on to make his point about the attorney's powers being reduced for the third or fourth time. **10.20am** "[**Lord Vaz**](http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jul/03/terrorism.labour?ref=opendemocracy.net)" (as he's now known in the tearooms) asks about the [counter-terrorism bill](http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/terrorism?ref=opendemocracy.net). He asks Brown if he accepts that the counter-terrorism bill would damage Britain's constitutional settlement, because politicians would get involved in decisions that used to be left to the judiciary when they condone plans to hold terrorism suspects for up to 42 days. Brown doesn't agree. Vaz then suggests that the compensation arrangements proposed for suspects detained for up to 42 days and subsequently released are "totally unworkable". Brown points out that the full details have not been published. Vaz then asks Brown to confirm no one was offered "a peerage, a knighthood or even the governorship of Bermuda" in exchange for their vote. Brown laughs. "Not at all." **10.25am** They're on to the [House of Lords](http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/lords?ref=opendemocracy.net) now. **Tony Wright**, chairman of the public administration committee, says that he has spent "more time than is good for me" on House of Lords and that he is a bit alarmed that the government is going to publish plans with a view to not legislating until after the next election. Why can't Brown deal with some of the anomalies in the Lords now? Brown says the government will be publishing its plans "quite soon". But he won't commit himself to taking action soon. Wright then asks about the English question. Brown says English votes for English laws (shorthand for the Tory plan) would "split the United Kingdom". He goes on: "It would divide the UK fundamentally." Then Wright wants to know why the equalities bill will not cover the royal family, which still practices "gender discrimination" and "religious discrimination" (in terms of who can ascend to the throne). Brown says that to change these rules would involve getting agreement from the rest of the Commonwealth. **10.35am** Winding up on the constitution, Beith suggests that the government's reforms don't really amount to much, because he has not been prepared to consider issues such as decentralising power, or fixed-term parliaments. Brown says that what really matters is that individual citizens feel "more empowered". Referring to the forthcoming community empowerment white paper, he says: "We are bringing forward proposals that will lead to individuals having far more power to petition, far more power to question, far more power to recall." Beith doesn't seem to impressed. Being able to petition your council? Doesn't sound very radical. Brown also has slightly tetchy exchange with Cormack, who wants to know if he favours the [Scottish parliament](http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/scotland?ref=opendemocracy.net) having more power. Brown says the Calman commission in Scotland is looking into the affair. "Where do you stand?" Cormack asks. In vain. Brown says it's best to wait until the commission has reported. JACK STRAW'S PRESS RELEASE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE 077-08 3 July 2008 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/.