On Tuesday Gordon Brown delivered his first statement to the House of Commons as Prime Minister.  It was a good performance seeting out a radical set of reforms to the way politicans and government works. 

In twelve areas important to our national life the Prime minister and Executive should surrender or limit their powers.  These are:

• the power to declare warthe power to dissolve and recall parliament
• the power to ratify international treaties
• the power to make key public appointments
• the power to restrict parliamentary oversight of intelligence services
• the power to choose bishops
• the power to appoint judges
• the power to direct prosecutors in individual criminal cases
• the power over the Civil Service
• the power to determine the rules governing pardons and passports

There were also proposals to introduce:

• new committees and question times to focus on regional economies and public services
• a consultation on weekend voting
• a consultation to change the laws that restrict demonstrations in Parliament Square
• a commission to review citizenship education and youth engagement
• new processes for considering petitions from members of the public

We can expect a statement on House of Lords reform and publication of a review on the various voting systems introduced since 1998.

The Prime Minister also announced a sustained debate on whether there is a case for the United Kingdom to develop a full British Bill of Rights and Duties or for moving towards a written constitution.