Shami Chakrabarti Says UK Democracy Is 'Broken' And Needs A Written Constitution

17 September 2019, 11:00 | Updated: 17 September 2019, 12:20

The Labour peer and human rights activist told LBC that "maybe it is time" for people to sit down and write a constitution.

LBC presenter Nick Ferrari asked her: "Do we move to the possibility of - and you might go nuts at this - a written constitution for this country so we know where we stand."

She told LBC Nick, when it came to British democracy, she used to think that "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Shami says UK democracy is broken and needs a written constitution
Shami says UK democracy is broken and needs a written constitution. Picture: PA

She added: "Because this is one of the oldest unbroken democracies on earth, let's be honest about that.

But now I'm coming to the view that it may be 'broke'."

Shami tells Nick Ferrari UK democracy is broken and needs a written constitution
Shami tells Nick Ferrari UK democracy is broken and needs a written constitution. Picture: LBC

Prorogation is one example of this, she said.

She also told Nick: "When gentlemen's agreements no longer work because, frankly, there are no gentlemen left in the room... maybe it is time to have a constitutional convention."

A constitutional convention is a gathering of people with the purpose of writing or editing a constitution.

More Nick Ferrari

See more More Nick Ferrari

Caller Som has a warning from the past as the conflict between Israel and Iran escalates.

Caller Som has a warning from history as Israel and Iran conflict escalates

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

LBC callers react to Israel’s ‘risky’ strike on Iran

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller in Israel warns against Iran becoming a nuclear-armed state

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller points out that Israel denied entry to Labour MPs as UK comes under fire for new sanctions

Caller Layla

Caller Layla fears for her daughters following Kemi Badenoch's Burqa comments

Caller Barry

LBC caller backs the government's reversal on the winter fuel allowence

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Nick Ferrari is unsure about caller Bill's proposal to turn migrant hotels into prisons

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

Call the Cabinet: Nick Ferrari is joined by Environment Secretary Steve Reed to take your calls

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

LBC reaction: 1200 Channel migrants arrive in a single day

Exclusive
'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams government

'Elite mindset' and ‘left-wing opinion’ fuelling migrant crisis says Nick Ferrari as he slams the government

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’ | LBC’s best callers of the week

Reform, racism and ‘a perverse Batman’: LBC’s best callers of the week

'Farage is a media-made man'

David and Nick debate whether 'tiny and ridiculous' Reform gets too much airtime

Tube worker John

Tube worker shares his close encounters with fare dodgers

LBC callers react to Netanyahu calling out Starmer for being on the 'wrong side of humanity'

LBC callers react to Netanyahu calling out Starmer for being on the 'wrong side of humanity'

LBC callers react as the UK suspends trade talks with Israel

LBC callers react as the UK suspends trade talks with Israel

LBC callers react: UK, France and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions

LBC callers react: UK, France and Canada threaten Israel with sanctions