Constitution Unit briefs Brown

Guy Aitchison (London, OK): An assorted group of academics, politicians and journalists gathered on a damp but pleasant evening yesterday in Gordon Square Gardens for the Constitution Unit summer party. As well as a chance to get off work early and enjoy free wine, it was an opportunity for them to discuss, speculate and exchange rumours surrounding Brown's favourite catchphrase at the moment, a "new constitutional settlement". It is with the hope of influencing and shaping this debate that Robert Hazell and the Unit's researchers have released "Towards a New Constitutional Settlement: An Agenda for Gordon Brown's First 100 Days and Beyond" (opens in pdf). It takes the form of a 39 page briefing for Brown, laying out the various options available for delivering constitutional reform and the obstacles that will have to be overcome. Brown, they argue, will have to be clear what he means when he talks of a new settlement, make explicit the principles that will guide it and engage with the public as a way of promoting understanding and ownership of what are potentially radical reforms. For those who want a quick overview, the Agenda concludes with a table suggesting reforms that can be made in the First 100 Days, Next Two Years and the Next Parliament. It is an important and potentially influential (a few Brown advisors there) contribution to the debate.