People, politics and policy

Part 3: The constitutional reform in Great Britain 
The issue of introducing a codified Constitution is on the agenda of the British 
politics. The issue is widely discussed by people in the country. The issue seems to be 
ambiguous. Both proponents and opponents of introducing a codified Constitution 
have arguments pro and contra. 
 
Listening (Pre-listening guesses) 
Discuss the following questions in groups of three or four. Share your ideas with 
the class. 
1. What are the advantages of having an uncodified Constitution in Britain? 
2. What are the disadvantages of an unwritten Constitution? 

---

51 
I. Watch the videos of some MPs speaking about the constitutional reform. 
Compare your own ideas with the opinions expressed by them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qojCMl2sCTQ 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oq9IhgCyUr0 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR9rhO21gcs 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYLZbbs1-0o 
II. While watching the videos fill in the table.
Name
For or against introducing
The arguments he gives 
 
a written Constitution
to support his viewpoint 
 
Richard Gordon 
Iain McLean 
Bill Cash 
Sir Christopher Foster 
Talking Point 
Discuss the following questions in pairs. Share your ideas with the group. 
1. Whose point of view do you mostly agree? Give arguments to support your 
ideas. 
2. What other arguments for and against introducing a codified Constitution can 
you think of? 
3. Do you think it is necessary to conduct a constitutional reform in Great 
Britain? 
 
Writing 
Write an essay on the following topic: ”The introduction of a written Constitution 
in Great Britain. Arguments pro and contra.” 
 

---