2015考研英语阅读宪法改革英国剧变_大学英语阅读

2015考研英语阅读宪法改革英国剧变

　　Many peers expect their elected successors to be much more assertive towards the House ofCommons, straining old conventions that the Lords should bow before the primacy of theelected chamber. Government ministers play down the prospect of clashes, saying there is noreason why the relationship should alter. That seems a stretch. At the least the newrelationship will probably have to be written down in statutory form. And then, notes VernonBogdanor of Kings College London, Britain would be halfway to a written constitution. Thatmarks another break, this time with the tradition that Britains constitution exists merely invirtual form, scattered across the statute books and buttressed by precedent andconvention.

　　很多贵族期待他们通过选举产生的继任者能在下议院更有自信，由此打破旧时上议院屈从于下议院的惯例。政府部长们试图减少可能的冲突，表示没有理由改变现有的关系。这似乎也是行得通。最终新形成的关系很可能也要以文字形式立法。伦敦大学国王学院的韦农??波格丹诺表示那时英国算是向成文的宪法迈进了一半。那会是另一次突破，过去英国宪法只以道德形式存在的传统，将为法令全书所打破并受到判例和惯例的支持。

　　Will all these changes happen? Previous attempts at bold reform have often been watereddown. Ordinary voters may determine part of the answer. Plans for reforming the upper housearelike plans for AVLiberal Democrat ambitions, and are the personal responsibility of NickClegg, the Lib Dem leader and deputy prime minister. If May 5th sees a series of defeats forthe Lib Demsnotably in the AV referendum, but also in elections held the same day to localcouncils and devolved parliamentsMr Clegg will need something to cheer up his party. If, onthe other hand, AV is approved, furious Tory MPs may demand that the House of Lords be leftalone.