Part 8/14:
Stephen describes Britain’s constitutional system as an “evolved” and “fragile” construct, rooted in centuries of unwritten conventions and a significant “class-based” power structure that historically protected elites. Today, the core issue is that the constitution is effectively dead; power resides in Westminster without proper checks, transparency, or accountability.
He contrasts the UK’s “unitary” system—where all power is concentrated—with the US federal system, which, despite its flaws, provides checks and balances through decentralization. Britain’s messy, centralist system allows for potential tyranny if unchecked, underlining the need for constitutional renewal and education.