Only the blessed accident of a hung parliament (in which neither main party will have a working majority) at the next or some future election can lead to reforms of parliamentary practice, to greater accountability and to the constitutional checks on minority parliamentary rule that Britain now lacks.

ECONOMIST: From the archive

King Hamad has tried to address some of the protesters' demands by announcing constitutional reforms intended to lead to greater accountability.

BBC: Bahrain activist Khawaja to continue hunger strike

Mr. GOLDSMITH: In a way, only the president can force the Congress to live up to their constitutional responsibilities and force them to take accountability for a position on these important issues.

NPR: Senate Panel to Hear from Ex-DOJ Official

But the common thread that runs through all of my decisions is simple: We will safeguard what we must to protect the American people, but we will also ensure the accountability and oversight that is the hallmark of our constitutional system.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama: Our Security, Our Values

Certainly the belief here is that a provision that requires responsibility and accountability in health care is important, that that would certainly meet any constitutional argument.

WHITEHOUSE: Press Briefing