The Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd has been investigating public attitudes to democracy and rights in Britain since 1991 as part of its State of the Nation series of opinion polls. The results from the latest poll have now been released.

The key findings include:

• By a majority of nearly 3-1 (50 per cent to 17 per cent), the public now back state funding for political parties “to reduce their dependence on donations from wealthy individuals, trade unions and businesses”. A larger majority (64%) want a cap on how much individuals and organisations can donate to parties.
  
  
• There is overwhelming support (68%) for a written constitution, providing clear legal rules within which ministers and civil servants must operate. An even higher proportion (81%), believe the Prime Minister should be bound by law to seek approval from Parliament before committing Britain to war.
  
  
• More than three quarters believe Britain needs a Bill of Rights to protect the liberty of the individual. Large majorities believe that a Bill of Rights should include the right to a fair trial before a jury (89%); the right to hospital treatment on the NHS within a reasonable time (88%); and the right of a woman to have an abortion (72%).
  
  
  
• A substantially elected House of Lords remains the clear preference of the British people, with 65% backing either a wholly elected or majority elected upper chamber. Almost as many want proportional representation for elections to Westminster (60%) and local councils (62%).