Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on the United Kingdom's (UK) constitution, presenting arguments both for and against a codified, written constitution. The paper explains that the United Kingdom's constitution is much more flexible than the United States', and it can be amended simply by an act of parliament; in fact, statute law, or the laws that are passed by Parliament, is the major source of the UK constitution. After evaluating the United Kingdom's unique constitution, the paper asserts that both sides have exceptionally well-crafted arguments. However, the paper notes, the United Kingdom's constitution has been part of its historical foundation for centuries, and its unconventional policies stress the values that the United Kingdom finds important. The paper concludes that just as the United States' written constitution puts a focus on the citizens, the United Kingdom's constitution focuses on the law itself; furthermore, the advantages of the United Kingdom's constitution are integral in a country in the current evolution of a European Union.

From the Paper:

"Despite the fact that the partially unwritten, uncodified constitution imparts sovereignty to the parliament, the emergence of the European Union has questioned this. According to McEwen (2004), "EU membership necessitates the 'pooling' of sovereignty over areas where the member states have agreed to act together." Furthermore, McEwen (2004) states that the European laws are "considered legally superior to domestic law." Unlike the United Kingdom's government, which does not include a superior court to verify legislation, the European Union's European Court of Justice "protect[s]" the European Union's legislation. Thus, the European Union has sovereignty over British legislation."

Sample of Sources Used:

• McEwen, Nicola 2004, The UK constitution, British Broadcasting Corporation. Available from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/bbc_parliament/2561719.stm: [16 January 2009].
• Trueman, Chris 2008, The British Constitution, The History Learning Site. Available from: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/british_constitution1.htm [16 January 2009].
• Trueman, Chris 2008, Constitutional Reform 1990-2001, The History Learning Site. Available from: <http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/GB_constitutional_reform.htm> [16 January 2009].
• "United Kingdom," Microsoft(r) Encarta(r) Online Encyclopedia 2008 http://encarta.msn.com (c) 1997-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

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