Liberal Democrats call for constitution fit for modern Britain

4.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 7th Sep 2007

Britain's first written constitution should be drafted by a convention whose membership has been partly chosen by random lot, the Liberal Democrats proposed today. Half of those involved should be members of the public, with the others drawn from parliament, and the final draft subject to a national referendum.

The proposals come in a paper on constitutional reform offering a much more radical set of proposals than those announced by Gordon Brown in July. Sir Ming Campbell, writing in the Guardian, said the Liberal Democrats reform plans amount to a 21st-century vision of Britain where people would be trusted, not patronised; involved, not just "consulted". Proposals in the policy paper, which will be debated at the party's forthcoming autumn conference, include:

· A constitutional convention, involving members of the public along with parliamentarians, to draw up a written constitution to be endorsed in a national referendum

· Citizens' juries, similar to those in criminal trials, to assess new public policy

· Strengthening the Human Rights and Freedom of Information Acts

· New government not to take power after an election until Parliament has endorsed its legislative programme

· More scrutiny of government appointments and decisions

Electoral reform, including STV for both Houses of Parliament, votes at 16 and fixed parliamentary terms