Should the UK Have a Codified Constitution?

The question of whether the UK should adopt a codified constitution is one of the most frequently examined debates in A-Level Politics. It requires you to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the current uncodified system against the potential benefits and risks of codification. This lesson provides the arguments, evidence, and case studies needed to construct a balanced and well-supported answer.

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Key Definitions

Term	Definition
Codified constitution	A constitution contained in a single authoritative document, with higher legal status than ordinary legislation
Uncodified constitution	A constitution drawn from multiple sources, with no single document of higher legal status
Entrenched	Protected by special amendment procedures (e.g. a supermajority, a referendum)
Unentrenched	Can be changed by ordinary legislation
Judiciable	Subject to interpretation and enforcement by the courts

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The Current UK Position