I am not sure whether I need nor want a bill of rights - at the moment I can do anything I wish as long as it is not illegal. Writing a list of my rights will alway produce grey areas, a sort of can I/can't I situation, whereas at the moment it is easy and straightforward. Methinks this is just a wheeze to give our eminent lawers another avenue of income!

Peter, Brixham, Devon

Interesting developments, but changes STILL at the whim of the monarch, for example, "ma'm we intend to abolish Britain's undemocratic and anachronistic Monarchy" !!"Over my dead body" she would probably have answered, to which he could so easily have replied "..oh well so be it".William.

W Gladys, Yeovil, British Isles

My word, could Brown actually be a REAL *gasp* socialist?

starling, Lancaster,

I was thoroughly sick of Tony's tinkering with the constitution (I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed!!)..

If Brown brings in a half-decent Written Constitution and Bill of Rights he will get my vote.

Zwingli, Stetten, Germany

I get the idea of it just being spin, but i am optimistic that, these may be genuine steps towards a more democratic system of government.
America is a fine example, and it is obvious alot of Brown's proposals have been taken from, it really does feel like strong works of change, i hope they're not just words, i do hope that Brown becomes a bit more likeable, because theyres only so much real positive change that can be made in at most 2 and half years!

Daniel Gordon, Leeds,

I have always been amazed that our new Prime Minister looks so much like Rowan Atkinson. However, I did not not expect that he would take on the role of Monsieur Sauvage and bring down our constitution, and do so in such an ill-thought out, almost infantile way.

Klaus Becher, London,

He's off to a good start. Now may the next American President do the same.

Daniel Good, Mamer, Luxembourg,

The new prime minister will this week publish plans to give up some of the royal “prerogative powers” enjoyed by his predecessors.....

The keywords here are 'publish plans', planning is not doing, it's too optative.


Drawing up a bill of rights.

We have a Bill of Rights!

How about restoring the bit about punishment AFTER judgment, in civil penalties that are of no significant difference to fines.

Brown has placed great emphasis on making ministers more accountable, restoring power to the civil service, not resorting to “spin” and handing back power to MPs.

On what grounds are we to believe the 'great emphasis' in the article is not itself spin please, after 10 years of it?

Tony Winter, London,

"Tony Blair and his family suffered the indignity of having to sleep on the floor and eat an Indian takeaway out of foil cartons on their last night in Downing Street, insiders have revealed.
"

So? Most people when they move house have to put up with similar indignities Also, most people, Blair's included actually do have a choice. They could stya at friends or in a local hotel..

neil murphy, cromer,

I think this is very much a step in the right direction. Is it not rather contradictory in one respect, however: if only Parliament can send troops to war and the PM is deprived of the power to convoke Parliament during the vacation, does this not mean that the warring factions of the world simply need to confine their activities to August and September to escape all UK interference?

Leo Hayden-Clark, Edinburgh, UK

I rarely hear of people in power prepared to surrender some of their rights for the better democratic rule of the country. I think this initiative is great and fully support it.

luke, ipswich,

I am impressed with the Prime Minister's proposed reforms. It looks as if he is rejecting the "presidential" style of his predecessor and recognising the authority of the Monarch and of Parliament. I have to acknowledge it is a better start than I had anticipated.

Barrie Bridgeman, Coventry, West Midlands

For years I have looked forward to have a Prime Minister who gives the power back to the elected MP's and really listens to the people. If Prime Minister Brown continues this way I have high hopes for the country and he will get my vote and support. What a shame that ten years have been wasted under Blair who's wake up call every morning was "What must I do today to stay in power". Lets see this party system stopped and get the best people in the country to do the many specialist jobs.

Lionel Chapman, Wolverhampton, West Midlands

Sir, i am not surprised that Browns seemingly urgent need to "give up" some of his powers is presented in the general guise of his ostensibly benign, inclusive, accountable, and open government. Tis a fib, noting but a new kind of spin.

If Brown really wants to be democratic and accountable, he might start with giving us "stupid people" (in the words of Edian Monsoon, BBC) a say on a very fundamental question - whether we are happy with an undemocratic remote monstrosity that is the EU to over rule any one we bothered to vote for in the first place? What afterall is the point of us "voting" for anyone if Brussels will effectively make the most important decisions?

Mr Brown has opted to curtail his powers already, he will not have much left anyway. This seems to be nothing more than cashing in on a reality he himself created by use of yet more spin.

Hooray to voter apathy!

muji bally, london, england

Could they not afford to go to a Hotel,but that would have cost him money, haven't they any friends to give them a bed for the night. or have the friends now deserted him?

Mike, Paphos, Cyprus

I am in favour of a lot of the proposals. I think its a good thing that gordon brown is about to do.

However, I totally disagree and urge Gordon Brown not to give the power to parliment to decide if we go to war, and wether troops go overseas or not. I believe this will be detrimental to the security of britian and the safety of our troops. the MP's will use this for political means just to get one over the goverment.

stuart, Edinburgh, Lothians

A promising start, I concede. But I would rather wait some time before rendering my verdict.

Karm Arger, Kent, U.K.

"- MPs being given the power to recall parliament during the recess if there is a national emergency"

The obvious question poses itself: how can this right be exercised without parliament already having been recalled?

Martin Symington, Biddestone, UK

Its a good move, countering decades of arrogance.
However, though Blair may not have made quite the same plans, he DID also give away power, which was historically significant, and was arguably the basis for what GB is now doing after him.

Joe, Manchester,

The Queen should have some of the Royal Prerogative restored to The Monarchy such as appointments within The Church of England of which she is Supreme Governor and a more worldly-wise Christian than anyone in the Church hierarchy

Likewise the Honours System should revert to The Palace

Voyager, Leeds, England