UK:British justice secretary Jack Straw has signalled that a new "Bill of Rights and Responsibilities" could pave the way for a written constitution for the United Kingdom.
In advance of a major speech in the US, Mr Straw told the BBC any such move would have to be conducted on a "bipartisan, consensual" basis and could take 20 years to complete. However, he confirmed his disposition, saying: "We need to think very carefully about whether a British Bill of Rights and Responsibilities should be a step towards a full written constitution, which would bring us in line with the most progressive democracies around the world."
Conservative spokesman Nick Herbert claimed the Labour government was "clueless about what reform they're offering" - while also accusing it of "constitutional vandalism".
Mr Herbert said: "It is deeply ironic that a minister should fly halfway across the world to call for a debate on a written constitution, and offer a referendum on it, when, back home, the government has done its level best to minimise proper debate on the EU constitution and denied the public the referendum they were promised."
Stormont junior Minister Ian Paisley jnr said Britain's growing constitutional debate would strengthen DUP resistance to a Bill of Rights exclusive to Northern Ireland. Mr Paisley told The Irish Times: "I believe in the sovereignty of parliament and am against a written constitution. But if we are going to have one for the United Kingdom as a whole, we will want to play our part in writing it."
In his Washington speech, Mr Straw said the British constitution "exists in hearts and minds and habits as much as it does in law", while suggesting most people in the UK "might struggle to put their finger on where their rights are". He also suggested the UK could learn from the American example, particularly the concept of civic duty.
"It is much easier to perform your civic duty when you have a clear sense of what is expected of you," he said, stressing the need for a constant programme of "maintenance" to ensure rights remain relevant to modern life.
Peter Facey, of the campaign group Unlock Democracy, welcomed Mr Straw's comments, while questioning the idea that it could take 20 years to develop a written constitution.
But Liberal Democrat spokesman David Heath said if Mr Straw was serious about a more progressive society he should start with renewal and reform of Britain's "outdated and unfair electoral system".