2006-10-19 11:38:34 · 12 answers · asked by aisha a 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Government
. We don't even have a written constitution. Our rights come from common law, as well as the UN COnvention on human rights and other European Directives on human rights etc.
2006-10-19 11:40:59 · answer #1 · answered by Eleanora 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No - we have laws but not a "constitution" or a "bill of rights".
America was founded as a break away country to Europe and so had to put all these things into place in a definite list.
We just have our laws. Split into two categories, civil and criminal.
Thats not to say we don't HAVE rights and it really annoys me that so many Americans think the UK is still the way is was in 1770-something and we don't have the same freedoms that you have.
OK there is not "bill" stating this but UNDER UK LAW:
We can worship however we want (just like you, see?)
We cannot be discriminated against because of our age, sex, colour, ethnic origin etc
We democratically VOTE our representatives into power (MPs or Members of Parliament) - the Queen does not direclty tell us what to do.
Most of our other rights are exactly the same as yours. They are just covered by law rather than on a "Bill". So obviously if someone tried to take your right away from you you can go to court and they can be prosecuted for breaking the law.
We also have some things you DON'T have. The government funds our healthcare so we don't have to worry about paying for medical treatment.
I know Americans keep on about how wonderful their "Constitution" is but from what I can see living in the UK isn't much different from living in the US. There is certainly more provision for health and social security for those who are down on their luck over here than there is over there (where you're basicallly considered to be a "bum" if you need to claim benefits and you deserve all you get etc etc. America has always seemed a very selflish, materialistic, "Me! Me! Me!" society to me).
And the Queen doesn't impact at all on our daily lives. Our taxes pay for many things. I'm sure yours do too.
2006-10-19 18:50:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. It was written in the 17th century, about 100 years before the US Bill of Rights.
I'm not exactly sure what's in the UK [English] Bill of Rights or even if it is actually relevent still today.
Anyway, like Magna Carta, it was one small step on the road to final lunacy or democracy as we prefer to think if it. You know, the system where the inmates get to run the asylum. Cannot think of a better way to run things, so better stick with the democracy idea.
2006-10-23 15:06:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No we don't, the nearest we have to a bill of rights is the Magna Carta Signed by King John at runnymede in 1215.
2006-10-19 18:42:08 · answer #4 · answered by Gazpode55 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, but we have lots of wrongs which the government sends us a bill for!
2006-10-19 18:43:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No we are actually governed by a collection of laws made up over the centuries, split into two categories criminal and civil
2006-10-19 18:42:24 · answer #6 · answered by The Little White Bull 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Magna Aarta,I guess
2006-10-19 18:41:42 · answer #7 · answered by Jay90 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm Bill but I am seldom right !
2006-10-19 18:44:39 · answer #8 · answered by Bill L 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing of the sort...we have rights but peope are happy for them to be taken away...
2006-10-19 18:40:49 · answer #9 · answered by Mr Glenn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think my history teacher would say the Maga Carta
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_carta
2006-10-19 18:41:00 · answer #10 · answered by Judy the Wench 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋