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Britain needs a written constitution

Along with New Zealand and Israel, Britain is one of very few countries which doesn’t have a written constitution. Whereas nations like the US, France and Germany sought to enshrine the necessary checks and balances in response to revolutions, wars or independence, Britain’s relatively peaceful history has meant that the relationship between government and the people has developed incrementally since Magna Carta.

But recently, there have been calls to curb the power of our “elective dictatorships”. Campaigners argue that a written constitution would revitalise democracy and protect our freedoms, prevent half-baked tinkering and protect Britain from further encroachment from the EU.

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