Repairing British Politics [Paperback]A Blueprint for Constitutional Changeby
Usually ships within 5 to 7 working days Description of Repairing British PoliticsThe constitutional crisis of 2009, sparked by the 'expenses scandal', led rapidly to the questioning of our entire political order. This book presents a major new constitutional analysis of the way we are governed. At the heart of the crisis lay an absence of accountability at the core of government. Repairing British Politics presents some key arguments for constitutional reform focused around a draft written Constitution underpinned by a new principle of constitutional supremacy. This would replace parliamentary sovereignty, which makes accountability more difficult.A written Constitution is not merely desirable; it is a constitutional necessity if Britain is to have true representative democracy. It would change our lives for the better by defining the over-arching values which we consider inviolable. The result would be a more rational, humane and inclusive society based on greater citizen involvement. Without a clear focus, constitutional reform will not happen. The approach taken here is therefore essentially practical and designed to provide a focal point around which a wider debate might be centred. Written in an easily accessible style and including a Glossary of Essential Terms Repairing British Politics is intended as much for the intelligent general reader as for those professionally interested in law and politics. Part 1 sets out a number of arguments in favour of a written Constitution, as well as the most common objections. Part 2 presents a working draft in the form of one possible model for a Constitution. Observations and explanatory notes are attached to each section of this draft Constitution. This model Constitution is intended as the first stage in a public debate, designed to provoke further discussion about the content and method of legislating into law a written Constitution. Part 3 contains the draft of the Act of Parliament that would be needed to introduce any form of constitutional change. We are currently facing a crisis of trust in British politics. Whichever party forms the government the questions raised in Repairing British Politics will not go away. Title Information
Press and Industry Reviews‘In this work Gordon combines his expertise as a QC - specialising in administrative and public law and human rights - with an historical approach, to produce an argument about the need for change in the UK constitution, and a set of proposals about what it should become...it is informative and enjoyable to read, and fulfils its purpose well, in that it makes an effective case for a written constitution and could form a useful basis for discussions of what such an entity should comprise. I recommend it to anyone interested in the way we are governed, including those who (unlike myself) do not agree with its central arguments.’Andrew Blick, Open Democracy, 19th March 2010 Write a review of this book Customer Reviews from AmazonAboutRichard Gordon QC, a member of Brick Court Chambers, London, is recognised as one of the UK's leading silks in administrative and public law and human rights. He is a Visiting Professor at University College London and at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He has acted in many of the most important public law and human rights cases in recent years, and appears regularly before the House of Lords and Court of Appeal and in foreign jurisdictions as well as before the ECJ and European Court of Human Rights.Contents of Repairing British PoliticsGlossary of Essential Terms1. SETTING THE SCENE Starting from Scratch Why We Need a Written Constitution Outline of the Book Power to the People The Origins of Parliamentary Sovereignty Cromwell and the UK's Two Written Constitutions No-one Ever Voted for Parliamentary Sovereignty Why Parliamentary Sovereignty Doesn't Work The Need for a Public Debate The Virtues of Representative Democracy Drafting a Written Constitution: The Practicalities Repairing British Politics: The Proposals Towards the Future 2. A DRAFT CONSTITUTION FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM Preamble Part 1: The State and the Constitution Part 2: Lawmaking Part 3: The House of Representatives Part 4: The Senate Part 5: Executive Government Part 6: Emergency Powers Part 7: Political Parties Part 8: The Judiciary Part 9: Fundamental Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities Part 10: The Citizens' Branch Part 11: Other Aspects of Government Part 12: Constitutional Conventions Part 13: Constitutional Changes and Referendums Part 14: Interpretation and Final Matters 3. THE CONSTITUTION OF BRITAIN (REFERENDUMS) ACT Part 1: Referendum on a Written Constitution Part 2: Second Referendum on the Content of a Written Constitution Part 3: Implementation of the Second Referendum Part 4: Supplementary Schedules |
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