Brown to lose powers in shake-up

He made clear most of his proposals were subject to consultation - but some, such as the power of the Attorney General to direct prosecutors in individual cases, will come in immediately.

That means the new holder of the post - Baroness Scotland - will play no role in deciding whether any prosecutions will take place in the so-called "cash for honours" affair. Her predecessor Lord Goldsmith had said he would involve himself in the decision.

Among a wide range of proposals floated by Mr Brown were elections at weekends, the voting age to be lowered from 18, a Bill of Rights and Duties for citizens, confirmatory hearings for public appointees and citizens' juries.

The Prime Minister also said parliament, not Government, should control the "core principles" of the civil service and there should be a tighter ministerial code of conduct.

He announced a new National Security Council - which he will chair - and promised to publish regularly a national security strategy.

Mr Brown, in his first statement to parliament, told MPs: "I propose that in 12 areas important to our national life, the Prime Minister and Executive should surrender or limit their powers - the exclusive exercise of which by the Government should have no place in a modern democracy."

The 12 areas are the power to declare war, the power to request the dissolution of Parliament, the power over recall of Parliament, the power to ratify international treaties, the power to make key public appointments without effective scrutiny, the power to restrict parliamentary oversight of the intelligence services, the power to choose bishops, the power to appoint judges, the power to direct prosecutors in individual criminal cases, power over the civil service, Executive powers to determine the rules governing entitlement to passports, and the power to grant pardons.

The Prime Minister went on: "I now propose to surrender or limit these powers to make for a more open 21st century democracy."

But Mr Brown was careful to hedge his changes, saying: "While constitutional change should never limit our ability to deal with emergencies, and should never jeopardise the security of our forces or any necessary operational decision, the Government will consult on a resolution to guarantee that on the grave issue of peace and war it is ultimately this House of Commons that will make the decision."