Peter Leyland

“[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 engaging, authoritative text has, since its very first edition, maintained its position as the market-leading introduction to the constitution of the United Kingdom. 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. The new edition systematically examines the impact of the recent developments, including how COVID changed how government operated, the revolving door of Prime Ministers, the election of the Labour government, and the accession of King Charles III. Though introductory in approach, it does not shy away from the complexity of the constitutional landscape in the United Kingdom. It provides a contextual overview of the principles, doctrines and institutions that underpin the elusive constitution, allowing students of law and politics, both from the UK and abroad, to develop an informed view of how it actually works.

“[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 engaging, authoritative text has, since its very first edition, maintained its position as the market-leading introduction to the constitution of the United Kingdom. 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. The new edition systematically examines the impact of the recent developments, including how COVID changed how government operated, the revolving door of Prime Ministers, the election of the Labour government, and the accession of King Charles III. Though introductory in approach, it does not shy away from the complexity of the constitutional landscape in the United Kingdom. It provides a contextual overview of the principles, doctrines and institutions that underpin the elusive constitution, allowing students of law and politics, both from the UK and abroad, to develop an informed view of how it actually works.

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 EducationThis 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 book assesses the attempt to establish a modern system of democratic government in Thailand against the background of Thai politics and culture. The fact that since 1932, when it became a constitutional monarchy, Thailand has had 18 constitutions speaks of an unstable political system which has seen rapid and repeated fluctuations between military rule and elected government. The main focus of this study is a critical discussion of the institutional frameworks which have been established under recent constitutions. Individual chapters deal with: Thai history and context, including the role of the monarchy and the military, and of constitutional drafting processes; parliament and elections; the executive branch of government, including the role of ministers, the civil service, of a contracting state and of anti-corruption initiatives; the structure and challenges of local government, including discussion of the southern insurgency; the Constitutional Court and constitutional enforcement; the constitutional role of administrative law and of the administrative courts; the constitutional protection of human rights, with freedom of speech as a particular case study.