At the People’s Gathering that took place earlier this month, one of the discussion that took place at my table and, I suspect, a few others was over the question as to whether Scotland should have a written constitution.
Scotland, like the United Kingdom, doesn’t actually have a written constitution that can be referred to. It has a mish-mash of Acts of Scottish Parliament, Acts of UK Parliament, Acts of former Parliaments of Scotland and Great Britain, judicial decisions and various international Treaties that have been signed up to. So, trying to write a constitution now would be a very difficult thing to do as we can’t start with a clean slate.
I think everyone at my table liked the idea of having one but didn’t want to be involved in writing one. They wanted to include various “rights” but of course these are already covered by other treaties and Acts of Parliament. Social justice should be part of it but that may well be covered too. Because we didn’t have enough information it is difficult to discuss. However, we were all agreed that it should be a “living document”, one that’s subject to regular review and update and not “tablets of stone”.
The People’s Gathering hosted by Electoral Reform Society Scotland at the Merchant’s Hall Edinburgh on Saturday 14th July 2012. Attendees were posed the question: It’s 2030 and Scotland is admired as a shining example of democracy and democratic participation. What three aspects of this future society please you most?
This article is one of a few based on the discussions I had on that day.
Scotland 2030: a written constitution?
At the People’s Gathering that took place earlier this month, one of the discussion that took place at my table and, I suspect, a few others was over the question as to whether Scotland should have a written constitution.
Scotland, like the United Kingdom, doesn’t actually have a written constitution that can be referred to. It has a mish-mash of Acts of Scottish Parliament, Acts of UK Parliament, Acts of former Parliaments of Scotland and Great Britain, judicial decisions and various international Treaties that have been signed up to. So, trying to write a constitution now would be a very difficult thing to do as we can’t start with a clean slate.
I think everyone at my table liked the idea of having one but didn’t want to be involved in writing one. They wanted to include various “rights” but of course these are already covered by other treaties and Acts of Parliament. Social justice should be part of it but that may well be covered too. Because we didn’t have enough information it is difficult to discuss. However, we were all agreed that it should be a “living document”, one that’s subject to regular review and update and not “tablets of stone”.