What's new?

Anthony Barnett (London, OK): What’s new? There is a splendid advert in today’s Guardian calling for a Citizens Convention. There was the Power Inquiry call for a decisive and not just a consultative citizen engagement in any constitutional reform. Every reform group in London (e.g. the Constitution Unit, see below) seems to have been sending off missives to Gordon about what to do and how to do it. For those of us with longish memories all this might seem like a repetition of the period from 1988 to 1997; between when Charter 88 was born with its surprising and refreshing list of supporters to the election of New Labour and the confetti of advice about what it should do. But it's not the same. Then, major reforms took power with them – such as Scottish parliament, Welsh assembly, independence for the Bank of England, Human Rights Act, London Mayor. While at the centre, there was a Prime Minister who did not believe in them, refused to give a speech about them, rejected the idea that they were linked. Now we are promised a “new constitutional settlement” whatever that is, by a new Prime Minister to be. As Matt d’Ancona told me: it is Gordon Brown who is doing it. The press must eventually take note despite the resistance documented by Guy in Don't mention the 'C' word. Connections are going to be made. As Brown tries to put humpty-dumpty together again, his efforts are likely at the very least to reveal how poor old humpty is indeed broken. As I argue in an openDemocracy article, Brown is dangerously isolated whether he intends to go for a radical democratic new settlement or a conservative patriotic one. But he’s the man who is doing it.