Governing Britain Parliament, Ministers and Our Ambiguous Constitution

A timely new book on how government operates – and the problems that can arise – by one of Britain’s foremost constitutional experts. The book assesses the key principles and relationships at the heart of the constitution and how they are shaping and being shaped by the political turmoil of recent years.

‘If the last few years have shown us anything, it is that we need to understand the British constitution, yet too few of us do. This excellent book…should be read by all those be interested in how we are governed – and especially by those who want to do the governing.’
Philip Cowley, Professor of Politics, Queen Mary University of London

‘A much-needed, clear and judicious guide. It carries the authority one would expect from a formidable scholar and a participant-observer of parliament in action.’
Sir Ivor Crewe, Master of University College, Oxford

‘No one knows more about Parliament than Philip Norton. I can think of very few books that are more timely than this clear, concise and popular exposition of some of the most important issues in the British Constitution.’
Matt Qvortrup, Professor of Political Science, Coventry University

‘Majestic and enthralling.’
John McEldowney, Professor of Law, University of Warwick

Who governs Britain? Is Parliament sovereign? Who chooses the Prime Minister? And who enforces the rules?

The United Kingdom is in the throes of political and constitutional conflict. Tensions between Westminster, Holyrood and the European Union are part of a wider picture of constitutional flux. The United Kingdom is one of only three nations that does not have the principal provisions of the organs of state and their relationship to citizens embodied in a single document.

Devolution and Brexit have given rise to calls for a codified constitution. The debate has taken place against a background of confusion and uncertainty as to existing constitutional arrangements. First, we must understand how our constitution works today.

This deeply informed and elegantly written book addresses the problems that have arisen in the context of the greatest political crisis our country has faced in decades.

Who governs Britain? Is Parliament sovereign? Who chooses the Prime Minister? And who enforces the rules?

The United Kingdom is in the throes of political and constitutional conflict. Tensions between different Westminster and Holyrood, and between the UK and the European Union, are part of a wider picture of constitutional flux. The United Kingdom is one of only three nations that does not have the principal provisions of the organs of state, nor is how they relate to one another and to the citizen embodied in a single document. Devolution and Brexit have given rise to calls for a codified constitution, but the debate has taken place against a background of confusion and uncertainty as to existing constitutional arrangements. We must first understand what already exists and how our constitution works today.

This deeply informed and elegantly written book addresses the problems that have arisen in the context of the greatest political crisis our country has faced in decades.