Culture Wars and Constitutional Identity: The Weaponisation of Constitutional Values

Constitutional principles and values are fundamental to a state’s constitutional identity and the principles of constitutionalism itself. The Constitution of the United Kingdom, formed and influenced by principles such as parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, accountable Government, democracy and human rights, is famed for its unique uncodified and unentrenched form, inherent flexibility and complex legal-political hybrid nature. However, a developing and controversial phenomenon is placing established principles and values of the UK’s constitutional identity in the spotlight. This chapter examines the constitutional impact of what is often referred to as a ‘culture war’ – that is, a clash between core values and beliefs held by society alongside allegations of ‘woke’ politics – currently sweeping through public and political discourse. To guide the analysis, parliamentary discourse between the period 2019-2023 is examined to identify the issues that are most often addressed and associated with the context of a ‘culture war’ and ‘woke’ politics. The chapter argues that the UK’s precarious constitutional identity has exposed its constitutional values to an even greater threat in this developing culture war, and that an evaluation of their status is needed amidst mounting concerns of democratic backsliding.