Constitutional Reform: Reshaping the British Political System, 3rd Edition

Author: Rodney Brazier
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199233045
Published In: February 2008
Format: Paperback , 192 pages
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Contents
Author
Reviews

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Offering detailed coverage of British constitutional reform, this book also examines questions of methodology which are largely ignored elsewhere, allowing the student to gain a broad understanding of the subject and tackle difficult questions such as how further constitutional change might be achieved
Written in simple and direct language, enabling the reader to understand the key issues involved and to reflect on possible solutions to the problems of the current British constitution
The relatively concise nature of the book permits the reader to gain a rapid overview of the key issues and debates involved in constitutional reform
An expanded bibliography allows the student to follow up points of particular interest through the main available primary and secondary materials
New to this edition

Two new chapters on 'Union, Dissolution or Federation?'and 'Codifying the Constitution'
An expanded bibliography featuring primary and secondary materials, arranged by chapter for ease of reference
A thorough retrospective evaluation of the constitutional changes of Tony Blair's Labour government
The third edition of Constitutional Reform examines central government, Parliament, and the judiciary in Britain and proposes an agenda for reform. In addition to issues such as voting reform, reform of House of Lords and how citizens' rights might be better protected, the book considers the best methods through which such changes should be achieved and provides material for the international comparison of constitutions. Whilst the book has been fully revised and updated to provide a retrospective analysis of the major constitutional reforms of Tony Blair's premiership, it is not limited to that government's agenda and includes material on previous government's reforms and Gordon Brown's reform agenda.

The third edition includes two new chapters, one on the structure and possible future of the United Kingdom and the other on whether the United Kingdom should adopt a codified constitution. It retains the clarity and lucid writing style of previous editions and features an expanded bibliography enabling readers to follow up points of particular interest. The book provides detailed coverage of British constitutional reform in the early twenty-first century and whilst aimed primarily at students of constitutional law, politics and government, it will also be of interest to the general reader.

Readership: Undergraduate students of law, politics, and government studying constitutional reform, constitutional law and administrative law. Politicians, political journalists, and political correspondents. Anyone with an interest in current issues concerning British constitutional reform

1: The story so far
2: Constitution-making
3: The parties and the constitution
4: Voting reform
5: The second chamber paradox
6: Ministers' Powers
7: A Constitutional Guiding Light
8: Union, dissolution or federation?
9: Defending rights
10: Government, law and the judges
11: Codifying the constitution

Rodney Brazier, Professor of Constitutional Law, University of Manchester

Review(s) from previous edition

"... excellent material for discussion. Diana Woodhouse, Parliamentary Affairs, April 1999