Rape of the Constitution?

This text is compiled of essays critical of the Government's handling of constitutional reform in relation to Europe, Westminster and devolution, in the late 1990s.

Table of Contents:
Overview: how democratic is Britain?, Tony Benn; ten steps to the revolution, Jonathon Freedland; a slow-motion revolution, Peter Hitchens; new structures, old politics?, Gillian Peele; power, politics and modern Liberalism, Simon Hughes, Duncan Brack. Holding the government to account: Parliament pensioned off?, Nevil Johnson; the law of unforseen consequences, Bernard Weatherill; socialism on the sly - the new government of the regulators, Michael Spicer. The House of Lords: the Lords are a-leaping, Peter Carrington; constitution and democracy, J.R. Lucas; reforming the Lords - the democratic case, Andrew Tyrie; the Wakeham Report, Michael Rush; Wakeham Report - a short commentary, Conrad Russell. Devolution and local government: local government, Simon Jenkins; devolution - the end of Britain, Tam Dalyell; the judicial committee of the Privy Council, Diana Woodhouse. The European Union: Britain and Europe - the problem with being half pregnant, Roy Jenkins; foreign and defence policies - the challenge of Europe, Jeremy Black; Britain and Europe - the issue of soverignty, Norman Tebit; European Union takeover of UK, Peter Shore. Populism and the media: the rise of the media class, Peter Osbone; what if they gave an election and nobody came? Mick Hume; consensus politics and the modern state, Moshe Berent, Keith Sutherland; the people's party, Anthony O'Hear.

Review :
"To be read and enjoyed by all who love freedom and democracy and mistrust the aspirations of the state." -- Chris Woodhead Sunday Telegraph "The book, therefore, is both timely and important... Such important and swiftly executed change deserves proper detailed analysis. It gets just that in this wide-ranging and largely intelligent volume, and from such distinguished names as Gillian Peele, Simon Jenkins, Roy Jenkins, Tony Benn and Bernard Weatherill." -- Sarah Fitzpatrick Times Literary Supplement "Despite its melodramatic title, it is a spirited read and raises many interesting and important questions." -- John Dunn Times Higher Education Supplement "A collection of thoughtful and thought-provoking essays by some of the best known politicians, journalists and academics in contemporary Britain. Few books in recent months have offered such a rich and varied fare; fewer still have been more timely." The Commonwealth Lawyer "This book is a call to wake up." -- George Wedd Contemporary Review "The contributors do not all trot out their views in a strict party line, but appear to be honest in their assessments." -- Stewart Myhan Freedom Today "This book is a forum in which all aspects of the debate are examined with essays from scholars, politicians and journalists from across the political spectrum." -- Jon Temple Republic "... shows that the Blairite constitutional changes depend on the silent dismantling of the independent British state." -- Christopher Arkell Salisbury Review "A wonderfully eclectic group of people contributing to the debate we never had...This book could scarcely be more timely or more needed." -- John Humphrys "Reform cannot be equated with rape without a considerable degree of terminological inexactitude." -- Vernon Bogdanor "I only wonder if you need that question mark in the title." -- Margaret Thatcher "Throughout his life, Max Beloff brought spirit, intellect and independence to the study of the British Constitution. This book is squarely in his tradition." -- Peter Hennessy "It is sad to watch the destruction of one's own country but will be sadder still if no one has the guts to fight back." -- Frederick Forsyth "Incremental totalitarianism indeed! Such partisan exaggeration defames the memory of the dead." -- Bernard Crick