A COMMISSION for drawing up a written constitution could be set up under plans being considered by Gordon Brown for his early days in office as prime minister, expected to begin this summer, write Margareta Pagano and Robert Winnett.

Helena Kennedy, the Labour peer, is tipped to head a “bill of rights” commission.

Radical reform of the constitution is said by senior sources to be one of Brown’s main ambitions for his first 100 days, although he has not yet decided how the detailed proposals should be drawn up.

He hopes a written constitution will, for the first time, define the rights of individuals while clearly setting limits for the power of government, the monarchy and the judiciary.

It would also underline the chancellor’s “British” credentials amid Tory attempts to exploit his Scottishness to alienate English voters.

One Brown supporter said: “There will be a robust first 100 days of his premiership — a real honeymoon period so Gordon can put his stamp on the new government.”

A senior Brownite MP who is privy to the plans said: “Gordon has a good economic reputation but he wants to show he also has a constitutional reputation. He wants to mark the beginning of his premiership with a radical shake-up and improvements to constitutional government.”

Any attempt to draw up a written constitution would prove controversial, opening debates over issues such as the union with Scotland; the “royal prerogative”, which allows ministers to send troops to war without parliament’s authorisation; Lords reform and the status of the Church of England.

The Brownite source said: “Brown is a parliamentarian through and through. He does not like the way Blair has led the cabinet or the Commons with his presidential style.”

Kennedy would be a controversial choice to head Brown’s commission. In a GMTV interview to be shown today she claims peerages were in effect sold by Labour. She also calls on Blair to step down soon after the May local elections.

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