moneyversusdemocracy.

We Should Learn From Ireland

This post is meant for those who agree that we need a proper entrenched constitution, not just a muddle in which the government can avoid addressing the challenges we face, and shut down dissent in order to retain the trappings of power.

Creating a constitution from scratch is a huge task, but it seems to be required in our case. We can learn from the Irish experience. When the Irish Free State was formed in 1922, it was still tied somewhat to Britain. It formed its own constitution which drew heavily from the Westminster system. By 1934 Éamon de Valera decided it was time to review the constitution. He had two objects in mind, to finally cut the ties with Britain, and crucially providing that any future amendment would be done in a controlled manor. Any change can only be agreed by a national referendum. This constitution came into effect in 1937 following a plebiscite. It has lasted 86 years without coming into difficulties. There have been 32 amendments reflecting great changes in the economy and society, many of which de Valera did not foresee.

The wording of the constitution is particularly clear and the office of the parliament( Oireachtas) issues loads of citizen information.

What I am suggesting is that we examine each article of the Irish constitution and see whether and how far it could be included in the British constitution. Having done that we should compare that with the Cabinet Manual which is the government’s view of what the constitution is, and how things should be done.

I have set out my ideas in a bit more detail in a document (59Kb) which I can email you on request. Please email me on davidsmith658howard@gmail.com.

I am currently working on my own. I am 82 and am in not very good health. I need support. I welcome any constructive comment on errors of fact, on the process etc. Any wholly unhelpful comment will simply be ignored at this stage.

• Do you want your comments to remain anonymous?
• Can you assist with any aspect of the drafting? If so would this be as part of a small group?
• Should we attempt to inform mainstream media at this stage? If so can you help?
• Do we need a better website? Could you help with this?

David Smith