Unit 776

Although some parts of the British constitution are written down, others are not. The issue of Britain adopting a fully written constitution is, therefore, a complicated one. Nevertheless, there is now a strong case for a fully written, or codified, British constitution.

In Britain, unlike the USA, there is no firm separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Moreover, while the constitution, because it is flexible, allows the British political system to adapt easily to changing circumstances, it leaves British citizens without any constitutional guarantees. For example, if the Human Rights Act were to be included in a fully written constitution, there would be a benchmark of rights which no government would be able to tamper with. At the same time, such a document could be changed but only by constitutional amendment.
Although some parts of the British constitution are written down, others are not. The issue of Britain adopting a fully written constitution is, therefore, a complicated one. Nevertheless, there is now a strong case for a fully written, or codified, British constitution.

In Britain, unlike the USA, there is no firm separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. Moreover, while the constitution, because it is flexible, allows the British political system to adapt easily to changing circumstances, it leaves British citizens without any constitutional guarantees. For example, if the Human Rights Act were to be included in a fully written constitution, there would be a benchmark of rights which no government would be able to tamper with. At the same time, such a document could be changed but only by constitutional amendment.

Using your own knowledge as well as the extract, explain why the British constitution allows the political system to adapt easily to changing circumstances.
(10 marks)...