The Constitution of the United Kingdom: A Contextual Analysis (Constitutional Systems of the World)

Praise for the previous editions“[A] slim guide to the constitution of the United Kingdom that is both highly readable and impressively thorough. It deserves a place on undergraduate reading lists ... [students] will certainly find it worth their while'Cambridge Law Journal “[The] written style is admirably clear, conversational and free from jargon ... It will be of immense interest to anybody with a general interest in UK law, politics and history.” Times Higher Education This timely new edition addresses the many constitutional changes that have arisen since 2016 (including those brought about by Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic) whilst retaining its hallmark features of clarity and concision. Adopting a thematic approach, it discusses questions of history, sources and conventions, the role of the Crown, Parliament and the electoral system, government and the executive, the judiciary, and the territorial distribution of power. In addition, it offers analysis of the evolution of the UK's historic non-codified constitution, its strengths and perceived weaknesses, and of reform initiatives. Engaging with the central issues in play as the UK enters a new chapter, it explores the impact on devolved government, the principle of sovereignty, the role of the courts and parliamentary reform. As well as providing a contextual and authoritative overview of the principles, doctrines and institutions that underpin the elusive constitution, this study will allow students of law and politics, both from the UK and abroad, to develop an informed view of how it actually works. "This acclaimed book provides a topical and contextual outline of the principles, doctrines and institutions that underpin the United Kingdom constitution. The third edition of The Constitution of the United Kingdom has been comprehensively revised and updated to take account of recent constitutional developments and debates. This includes: the revised framework for devolution following the 2014 referendum in Scotland, the constitutional ramifications of the realignment of UK politics reflected in the result of the 2015 general election and the debate over the possible replacement of the Human Rights Act 1998 with a British Bill of Rights. The chapters are written in sufficient detail for anyone coming to the subject for the first time to develop a clear and informed view of how the constitution is arranged and how it operates. The main themes include: discussion of the history, sources and conventions of the constitution; later chapters deal with: constitutional principles, the role of the Crown, Parliament and the electoral system, government and the executive, the constitutional role of courts including the protection of human rights, the territorial distribution of power between central, devolved and local government, and the European Union dimension. In addition, the book offers analysis of the evolution of the uncodified UK constitution, its strengths and perceived weaknesses, and of reforms aimed at its modernisation"--Unedited summary from book cover. "No one could have imagined when the last edition of this acclaimed book published in 2016, the constitutional earthquakes that were to follow. Brexit, Miller, three prime ministers: little of the United Kingdom's constitution was unaffected. This much needed new edition retains its hallmark clarity and coherence, with sufficient detail for the novice to develop an informed view of how the constitution works. Taking a thematic approach, it discusses questions of history, sources and conventions, the role of the Crown, Parliament and the electoral system, government and the executive, the judiciary, and the distribution of power. In addition, it offers analysis of the evolution of the uncodified UK constitution, its strengths and perceived weaknesses, and of modernising reforms. This significantly updated edition provides a topical and contextual outline of the principles, doctrines and institutions that underpin the United Kingdom constitution. Engaging with the central issues in play as the UK enters a new chapter of its constitutional story, it explores Brexit, devolution, the Fixed Term Parliament Act, parliamentary sovereignty, and House of Lords reform. Combining clarity and authority, the author makes sense of a fascinating but sometimes impenetrable subject"-- Provided by publisher