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Half of us 'know little about UK constitution'

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Published Date: 28 March 2008
NEARLY half of Britons know little or nothing about the constitutional arrangements by which the country is governed.
The finding was revealed in the Hansard Society's Audit of Political Engagement. The society said that it indicated the "massive challenge" faced by the government if it was to engage voters in its agenda for constitutional reform.

The survey also found 55 per cent knew "not very much" or "nothing at all" about politics.





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  • Last Updated: 27 March 2008 9:54 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

eric,

Lothian 28/03/2008 07:00:56
Most of them live In England.
2

Nell,

The Preservation Hall 28/03/2008 07:32:47
No. 1 Eric:- Errr, that wouldn't be too difficult seen as most of the population of the UK lives in England.
3

eric,

Lothian 28/03/2008 07:59:39
No 2 Nell-Errr I was being sarcastic!
4

Boy Wonder,

28/03/2008 08:30:23
What constitution? Apart from the fact that we have no written constitution, it tends to get ripped up every so often by our leaders anyway!
5

Guthrie,

Edinburgh 28/03/2008 09:33:44
#5- which is what makes it so impenetrable and incomprehensible to us normal people. How long would it take you personally to pull together a good description of the UK's constitutional arrangements, with reference to the ogirinals?
6

Tommy Trout,

Alicante, Spain 28/03/2008 09:56:36
Why is that surprising? There is no written British constitution, nor anything for any other parts of the UK.
It's all based on common law, traditions and the most esoteric thing of all the Royal Prerogative, which even David Cameron has questioned in the past.
7

donald,

glasgow 28/03/2008 10:09:59
Half of us 'know little about UK constitution'

That'll be the Labour numpties.
8

Auld Twa,

Edinburgh 28/03/2008 10:26:49
When Wendy Alexander can't comprehend her own party's basic legislation on financial contributions how can we be expected to understand an unwritten constitution ?
9

sam the god,

28/03/2008 10:28:25
Does the constitution says that politicians can fleece us?

10

Fairfax,

28/03/2008 10:52:16
eric (3): "No 2 Nell-Errr I was being sarcastic!"

I haven't noticed any great difference in political knowledge when travelling between England and Scotland. I have, however, noticed that Scots frequently describe petty anti-English remarks as banter, whilst strongly denying that the Scots are ever anti-English.
11

bill-alba,

fife 28/03/2008 12:29:46
fairfax...visit the crossofstgeorge website for an insight into what is banter and what is anti anything that isnt white and English
12

Jardine,

28/03/2008 12:40:21
#1 A cheap shot, eric.

The UK constitution is a hot topic of conversation in your local, no doubt.
13

Alternative (High Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 28/03/2008 16:15:32
Constitution??

Oh yes! I remember that. That's the set of basic principles and laws set in stone that governments choose to ride roughshod over in the case of speed cameras, parking tickets and conditional offer of fixed penalty tickets.

According to the constitution, a citizen is under no obligation to provide evidence that may incriminate him/her. Section 172 of the road Traffic Act grinds that into the dust by requiring the driver to admit the fact. Without S172 speed scameras would be useless.

Also, according to the constitution, nobody shall suffer a penalty under law, financial or otherwise, that has not been meted out in a court of law. This is ground into the dust by any form of penalty ticket---including parking tickets and also the conditional offer of a fixed penalty, which can arguably be classified as "demanding money with menaces".

Additionally, this casts a very dodgy light on some of the current DVLA practices.

It is about time that governments were forced to abide by constitutional laws and not ignore them in order to make money out of people.
14

John Blackley,

Florida 28/03/2008 18:19:27
“The [British Constitution]is so complicated, only three men have ever understood it. One was Prince Albert, who is dead. The second was a German professor who became mad. I am the third and I have forgotten all about it.” - Lord Palmerston.

In effect, the British constitution is what the government of the day says it is. As to only 55 per cent knowing "not very much" or "nothing at all" about politics, given the behaviour of politicians over my lifetime, I'm simply amazed that so many (the remainder) care enough to know anything about it.
15

Fairfax,

28/03/2008 19:25:50
bill-alba (14): "visit the crossofstgeorge website for an insight into what is banter and what is anti anything that isnt white and English"

Certainly: it's abhorrent. I hope you therefore join me in comdemning Eric's dismissive anti-Englishness.

 

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