Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of the Magna Carta 800th anniversary committee, explains the lasting relevance of the 'Great Charter' in the 21st century
Sir Robert Worcester, is chairman of the committee that will coordinate the range of events around the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta on June 15, 2015.
He explained to the Telegraph's Matt Warman why King John's grand bargain with his barons is still significant today.
"The relevance of the Magna Carta in the 21st century is that it is the foundation of liberty, some say the foundation of democracy."
"Some people have said to me, 'ah, it is just about the Barons and their taxation' and I say 'yes' and much later it was called no taxation without representation and England lost a colony called America on that basis."
Many thousands are expected to turn out for the Magna Carta celebrations next year. A newly elected prime minister will invite the Queen to sign a reaffirmation of its principles, and there is even talk of involving the UN in a bid to encourage the world's nations to endorse the idea of the rule of law.
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