What is the British constitution?

The British constitution is best characterized as a collection of laws and conventions. Unlike many countries that have a single, formal written constitution, the United Kingdom operates under an uncodified constitution that is made up of various statutes, legal precedents, and practices that have developed over centuries. This includes parliamentary statutes, common law, and important documents such as the Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights.

The nature of the British constitution means it is adaptable and evolves with changing political landscapes and societal norms. This flexibility allows it to be influenced by judicial decisions and parliamentary developments. Conventions play a vital role in the constitution, shaping political practices and the functioning of government while not being legally enforceable.

Other choices do not capture this complexity: a formal written document suggests a rigid structure that does not apply to the UK's understanding of its constitution; a set of governance principles, while partially true, does not encompass the legal and practical components; a historical manuscript does not reflect the living nature of the constitution, which continuously adapts rather than remaining a static historical artifact.