The British Constitution Now

In this book the former head of Mrs Thatcher's policy unit looks at the state of the British Constitution at a crucial time in its history, arguing that recent years have seen an increased willingness to monitor itself on the part of the Establishment, but that more audacious reforms are needed to restore full confidence in Parliament, government and the legal system.

In this book the former head of Mrs Thatcher's policy unit looks at the state of the British Constitution at a crucial time in its history, arguing that recent years have seen an increased willingness to monitor itself on the part of the Establishment, but that more audacious reforms are needed to restore full confidence in Parliament, government and the legal system.

Auteur

Ferdinand Mount

Texte du rabat

'It had to come. But it did not have to be so entertaining. Ferdinand Mount has written the first reassessment of the British constitution for half a century...Organised in three parts, the book opens with an analysis of the work of Walter Bagehot, Albert Dicey and Sir Ivor Jennings. As an exercise in intellectual destruction, this chapter is a joy...The second section of the book moves to the present, and describes the role of the monarchy, the Cabinet, the prime minister, ministries of state and the electoral system...The final section is dedicated to the future...Britain's constitutional conservatives will find it hard - intellectually impossible, I would say - to withstand Mount's analysis. Independent on Sunday

'Far more perceptive and humorous than any other work in the constitutional canon...presents an attractive, amusing and often very insightful perspective on post-Thatcher polity.' Guardian

'Mr Major would do us a favour if he read this book.' Financial Times

'It should be read by every member of the new Commons.' Spectator

'No political commentator matches Mr Mount's subtlety of mind, range of reference or attractiveness of style.' Daily Telegraph