David Turner
Regular Member
imported post
It's snowing today. Weather is too miserable to tempt me out of doors much, despite the protestations of my mutts.
So, I've been working on another crazy idea. A Bill of Rights for the UK in the 21st Century.
In part, it is modelled on yours, with a bit of European stuff chucked in.
If I can draft it into a reasonable document, I'll try to e-petition the Government. Now, these e-petitions do no good, in terms of altering policy, but they are a bit viral and can expose many people to radical ideas.
Anyway, here's my first draft. Take a look and be critical. The "cut and paste" job leaves the layout a bit scrappy; you'll have to forgive me that.
British Bill of Rights 2009
1…Parliament shall make no law which limits the Citizens’ exercise of free speech.
2…Parliament shall make no law which limits the rights of Citizens to peaceably assemble and to petition the Government.
3… The right of the Citizens to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
4… The Citizens’ right to life shall be protected by law.No person or Citizenshall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by Law.
5…Deprivation of life shall not be regarded as inflicted in contravention of thisBill when it results from the use of appropriate force;
a in defence of any person from unlawful violence;;
6…The right of the Citizens to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against searches and seizures, shall not be violated No Warrants shall be issued, except upon probable cause supported by Oath or affirmation
7…No Citizen shall be held to answer for a capital crime, unless indicted by a Jury. Nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy for any offence.
8…Private property shall not be taken for public use.
9…No person shall be compelled to bear witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
10…In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the County and district wherein the crime was committed. The accused shall have the assistance of Counsel for his defence.
11…In civil suits, the right to trial by jury shall be preserved, upon the request and peril of either party.
12…Excessive bail shall not be required of Citizens, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
13…The enumeration in this document, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights retained by the Citizens.
14…The powers not delegated to the Government, are reserved to the Citizens.
15…Any person, whose rights according to this Bill, are infringed, shall have recourse to effective remedy.
16…Parliament shall be dissolved after a period not exceeding 4 years; at which time a General Election shall be held.
17…A Citizen is held to be any British person of sound mind who has reached the age of majority, as defined by Law.
18…A militia is necessary to the preservation of the Citizens’ liberties. Every Citizen shall be affiliated to that militia, as defined by Law.
20…The standing army and military forces, shall be of the minimum size whichisnecessary.
It's snowing today. Weather is too miserable to tempt me out of doors much, despite the protestations of my mutts.
So, I've been working on another crazy idea. A Bill of Rights for the UK in the 21st Century.
In part, it is modelled on yours, with a bit of European stuff chucked in.
If I can draft it into a reasonable document, I'll try to e-petition the Government. Now, these e-petitions do no good, in terms of altering policy, but they are a bit viral and can expose many people to radical ideas.
Anyway, here's my first draft. Take a look and be critical. The "cut and paste" job leaves the layout a bit scrappy; you'll have to forgive me that.
British Bill of Rights 2009
1…Parliament shall make no law which limits the Citizens’ exercise of free speech.
2…Parliament shall make no law which limits the rights of Citizens to peaceably assemble and to petition the Government.
3… The right of the Citizens to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
4… The Citizens’ right to life shall be protected by law.No person or Citizenshall be deprived of his life intentionally save in the execution of a sentence of a court following his conviction of a crime for which this penalty is provided by Law.
5…Deprivation of life shall not be regarded as inflicted in contravention of thisBill when it results from the use of appropriate force;
a in defence of any person from unlawful violence;;
6…The right of the Citizens to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against searches and seizures, shall not be violated No Warrants shall be issued, except upon probable cause supported by Oath or affirmation
7…No Citizen shall be held to answer for a capital crime, unless indicted by a Jury. Nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy for any offence.
8…Private property shall not be taken for public use.
9…No person shall be compelled to bear witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law.
10…In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the County and district wherein the crime was committed. The accused shall have the assistance of Counsel for his defence.
11…In civil suits, the right to trial by jury shall be preserved, upon the request and peril of either party.
12…Excessive bail shall not be required of Citizens, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
13…The enumeration in this document, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage other rights retained by the Citizens.
14…The powers not delegated to the Government, are reserved to the Citizens.
15…Any person, whose rights according to this Bill, are infringed, shall have recourse to effective remedy.
16…Parliament shall be dissolved after a period not exceeding 4 years; at which time a General Election shall be held.
17…A Citizen is held to be any British person of sound mind who has reached the age of majority, as defined by Law.
18…A militia is necessary to the preservation of the Citizens’ liberties. Every Citizen shall be affiliated to that militia, as defined by Law.
20…The standing army and military forces, shall be of the minimum size whichisnecessary.