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The South African Constitution (1996) was written after apartheid and is considered one of the most progressive in the world. It includes strong protections for equality, social rights (like housing and healthcare), and minority rights.

The Bottom Line

The UK is one of only three countries without a written constitution, relying instead on Acts of Parliament, conventions, and common law. The unwritten constitution is flexible but unclear, easy to change, and incapable of protecting citizens from government overreach. Boris Johnson's 2019 prorogation of Parliament exposed the system's flaws, and conventions like the Sewel Convention can be ignored without legal consequence. A written constitution would provide clarity, limit government power, protect rights, and strengthen democracy, but it would also be difficult to change and could give judges more power. The case for a written constitution is strong, but reform would require a government willing to limit its own power, which is rare. The UK has been a stable democracy for centuries without a written constitution, but stability is not the same as justice or accountability. It is time to write the rules down, protect rights, and ensure that no government can abuse its power again. The unwritten constitution is failing, and Britain deserves better.

Key takeaways

• The UK is one of only three countries without a codified written constitution, relying instead on Acts of Parliament, conventions, and common law
• The unwritten constitution allows governments to change the rules to suit themselves, as Boris Johnson did by proroguing Parliament in 2019
• Conventions like the Sewel Convention (Westminster will not normally legislate on devolved matters without consent) are not legally binding and can be ignored
• A written constitution would protect rights, limit government power, and provide clarity on the rules — but it would also be difficult to change and could give judges more power
• The case for a written constitution is strong, but reform would require a government willing to limit its own power, which is rare

Sources

• UK Parliament — The UK constitution
• Institute for Government — Constitutional reform
• The Constitution Society — Written constitution proposals
• The Guardian — Constitutional crisis coverage

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