What Is "the British Constitution"?

[10ClarionSt]

We've heard references to "unconstitutional"; "constitutional crisis", even a "constitutional lawyer". This country does not have a written constitution, unlike some. What are people refering to when they talk about "the constitution"? Is it Parliament? How can a person profess to be a "constitutional lawyer" if we don't have a constitution? If it's not Parliament, what is it? Just askin'!

[1ozzy]

//Although England's parliament, often called "the mother of parliaments" has existed for over seven centuries, the founding document of England's "constitution" is generally considered to be the Magna Carta, or Great Charter of the Liberties of England, which the barons drew up and forced King John to sign//

I know that is true, Google told me so.

[waterboatman]

As oz has said, that is the nearest thing to a constitution we have.

[woofgang]

If you get a chance to watch this it was brilliant. The true story of Magna Carta amongst other things https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03z2l6l

[1ozzy]

I rather like the "Liberties of England" part.

[woofgang]

Also https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Marshal,_1st_Earl_of_Pembroke

[10ClarionSt]

I'm flying off at tangent here, away from my OP, in a way. There was an article in one of the papers to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta in 2012. Lots of info given, except one thing, which I wrote to them about. That was the ink that was used to write it. Made to a special formula of natural ingredients, the basis of it is still in use today and is only available to govt officials. This is because, unlike normal ink, which fades with age, the ancient ink darkens with age and is the reason why people can read govt documents from hundreds of years ago and all the census data from the very beginning.

[10ClarionSt]

Woofgang, that prog isn't available. Shame. But thanks.

[dannyk13]

10cs. For your information:-
https://www.google.com/search?ei=UVR3XYHCMYiGgQaYrpXgCA&q=constitution+meaning&oq=constitution+meaning&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i131i70i249j0i67j0l8.62276.70314..8221

[ToraToraTora]

did you go to school 10CS? surely they covered constitutions especially the British Constitution?

[ToraToraTora]

anyway, why have you suddenly taken an interest in such things? Up to now you have always said you couldn't care less what happens and immersed yourself in a Psuedo socialist dream world ignoring anything that contravenes your utopia.

[THECORBYLOON]

TTT, I notice you haven't actually answered the question.

[ToraToraTora]

I'm encouraging 10cs to start his education, better late than never.

[woofgang]

10cs its based on oak galls I believe and it eats fountain pens. When I went to register my husband's death I said to the lady registrar "oh if I had known it was signed with a fountain pen, I would have brought mine and she said "oh you wouldn't want to put this stuff in it" and told me all about it. I know they get training but oddly that ordinary conversation made me feel much better. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_gall_ink

[woofgang]

oh PS anyone can buy the ink in loads of places

[1ozzy]

//did you go to school 10CS? surely they covered constitutions especially the British Constitution?//

//I'm encouraging 10cs to start his education, better late than never.//

LOL TTT, to quote a rack of spice, "you sir are a master of comedy"

[jim360]

The British Constitution is unwritten but that doesn't mean we don't have one. It relies on convention and consent, certain key Acts of Parliament, authoritative works by Bagehot, Dicey and Erskine May, certain key judicial decisions. I think Bagehot referred to it as a "living" constitution.

Right now, the "convention and consent" aspects of the constitution are being stretched to the limit.

[Zacs-Master]

There's no such thing as 'the' Magna Carta. It was an unwieldy fragmented document, many parts of which were re-written shortly after the first version due to the need to re-engage with the Barons of the time.

[10ClarionSt]

LOL @ TTT! In answer to your question re the constitution being taught at school: the answer is no, we didnt do that subject. "Psuedo socialist dream world -utopia!" LOL!!! Doesn't take much to grind your gears, does it TTT? :o)
Thanks for all the replies.

[10ClarionSt]

Woofgang, a good friend of mine used to be a church minister and registrar. She used to get her supply of Registrars' Ink from the register office. At that time, the ink, made by Stephens, was not available to the public. I don't know if that has changed now.
You are correct about the corrosiveness of the ink. Definitely not recommended for decent fountain pens.