New UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown Seeks to Give Power to the People

According to a press release from the UK Prime Minister's spokesman, Gordon Brown shook things up Tuesday when he called for constitutional reform that will limit his and future PM's powers.

Brown's action came on the heels of two attempted terrorist car-bombings in England and a connected terrorist attack in Scotland; the common belief is that the attacks were timed to coincide with the UK's change in Prime Ministers. Newly elected Brown has certainly had his hands full since assuming the Premiership.

Brown's statement claimed that the proposed constitutional reform: "entrusts more power to Parliament and the British people." The world waited with bated breath for Brown's response to the attacks and speculation was widespread concerning the PM's next move after the attacks.

Brown's reforms include many limitations to executive power, and changes to Parliament. The PM also called for Britain's largely unwritten constitution to be drafted in written form and be accompanied by a newly drafted British Bill of Rights.

If Brown's reforms are accepted he will have given up many powers traditionally reserved for the executive including: power to declare war, dissolve Parliament, recall Parliament, ratify international treaties without approval from Parliament, make public appointments without oversight, restrict Parliament's oversight of British intelligence agencies, choose bishops, appoint judges, direct prosecutors in individual criminal cases, power over civil services, and the power to decide rules for granting passports and pardons. Brown specifically proposes to either give up, or at least limit these executive powers.

The new PM wishes for Parliament, specifically the House of Commons, to take on a greater and possibly complete role in making these decisions. He claims that executive possession of these powers has no place in modern democracy.

The premier also announced proposed changes in the composition of Parliament including replacing the House of Lords with a new Parliamentary chamber consisting of elected members. The current House of Lords chamber of Parliament members are granted their positions by birthright rather than elections.

Brown stressed that the changes were necessary to ensure democracy and security for Great Britain. Brown reportedly stated in his address: "I can announce that from now on the Government will regularly publish, for Parliamentary debate and public scrutiny, our national security strategy setting out for the British people the threats we face and the objectives we pursue. I have said for some time that the long term and continuing security obligation upon us requires us to coordinate military, policing, intelligence and diplomatic action - and also to win hearts and minds in this country and round the world."

The proposed reforms also call for British citizens to enjoy more civil liberties and have more say in their government including: the ability to assemble and protest in Parliament square, the ability to provide input in to local issues, the ability to form citizen juries, and finally the power to vote on many governmental spending decisions.

The jury is still out regarding the terrorist attacks ability to force Brown to withdraw British troops from Iraq. However, one thing is clear whatever decision the British make concerning their involvement in the war on terror will be made by the people and their representatives and they will make it together.

Sources:
UK Prime Ministers Office