The British Constitution

Exactly eight hundred years ago, Magna Carta established the right not to be thrown in the Tower of London for being slightly irritating, which is the closest we've ever got to a written constitution. But come on! Things have moved on since King John. Isn't it time we had another bash at setting down a few laws and principles for us all to live by? Isn't it time we knew how to queue properly, how to banter within the limits of decency, how to handshake in a regal fashion, how to appropriately and committedly observe the weather, and how to competitively own pets? It will no doubt confuse the Taliban, perplex the Americans and move the French to shrug their shoulders and say bof, but for the good people of this island, this first draft of the British Constitution sets out and celebrates the very best bits of being British.

Guy Browning writes the 'How to...' column in the Guardian 'Weekend' magazine. The author of Never Push When It Says Pull (Atlantic 2005) and Never Hit a Jellyfish with a Spade (Atlantic 2005), he is also a business consultant specializing in creativity. He lives quietly in Oxfordshire.