A Modest Proposal For The Agreement Of The People

by Angus Reid and Mary Davis/others 

(Luath Press, £9.99)

IN HIS Rights Of Man Thomas Paine wrote in 1792 that “people mean distinct and separate things when they speak of constitutions and of governments … why are these terms distinctly and separately used? A constitution is not the act of a government, but of the people constituting a government; and a government without a constitution is power without right.” 

This was quoted by Marri Morrison of North Uist, one of the contributors to this beautifully produced book, which is a “call for a constitution.” It has been presented by Angus Reid in a stunningly visual way in 21 locations around Scotland, including the STUC and the Scottish Parliament. 

He wrote a poem designed to be put on the corner of walls so that part is on one side and part on the other. It contains five principles for a nation —to respect, care for and nourish the sacred, freedom of conscience, the gift of every individual, communities and the land, symbolised by the five fingers of a hand. 

Wherever it was displayed he asked people to draw round their own hand on a wall nearby if they agreed. Those five fingers became many thousands, including those of Alex Salmond. 

Reid’s point is that it is no good supporting an independent Scotland if you don’t first agree on a constitution which would control what those elected can do. He applies the same principles to Britain as a whole and the title of the book explains why.

In contrast, Mary Davis turns to the past — to the English revolution and the Putney debates in 1647 which led to the clash between the politicised New Model Army Agitators and the Grandees, generals Cromwell, Ireton and Fairfax. 

From this sprang the Agitators’ demand for a comprehensive reorganisation of the state under the title of The Agreement Of The People. Davis points out that this was reiterated by the Chartists and later by the trades union and women’s movements of the 20th century.

Other contributors include John Hendy QC, who examines the need for a constitution in Britain but also explains that constitutions, however progressive, still need mass action to be observed.

Thorvaldur Gylfason, one of 25 representatives elected in 2011 to revise Iceland’s constitution, relates how it was approved by a referendum but defeated in parliament by the main opposition groups representing the powerful landowners and fishing industries.

The book’s epilogue, on the Scottish Parliament’s White Paper on Scotland’s future, is criticised by Reid as envisaging a top-down constitution which would retain the same power structures as exist now.

Essential reading.

Jean Turner