Stretching the Constitution: The Brexit Shock in Historic Perspective

Description

How far did the European Union (EU) referendum result of 23 June 2016 really justify and necessitate the policies executed in response to it? What are the implications of that vote and its prolonged aftermath for the United Kingdom (UK) constitution? What other challenges does our political system face? This book seeks to answer these questions. It considers from a constitutional perspective the way in which the decision to leave the EU was taken and then implemented, discussing in particular the role of Parliament. It includes a close analysis of the referendum legislation, and relevant Commons debates. Adapting methods from applied history, the author considers the wider implications of Brexit by assessing a series of proposals for constitutional reform produced in the UK since 1900. He addresses features of the UK system including referendums, representative democracy, Parliament, devolution, and the executive, from both an historic and contemporary point of view. The book assesses other issues that do not arise directly from Brexit but that have constitutional implications and a global aspect to them. They include political applications of the Internet and climate change. Finally, the author makes a series of proposals for reforms that will help the democratic system of the UK to adapt to its changing environment.

Andrew Blick is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History and Director, Centre for British Politics and Government, King's College London. He was research fellow to the first ever public inquiry into the possibility of adopting a written constitution for the United Kingdom, conducted by the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Committee during 2010-2015. In 2016, he was an adviser to the Welsh Government on its intervention at the Supreme Court in the Article 50 Miller case.

Stretching the Constitution by Andrew Blick, a constitutional scholar, is refreshing in that it employs a unique approach by seeking to place Brexit within the wider context of constitutional reform debates going back over the course of the past century... The historical context provided to contemporary debates is insightful, but also very instructive in introducing the modern reader to materials of which they would in many instances have been ignorant or unaware. Anyone who purports to be a scholar of constitutional affairs should read Stretching the Constitution. -- Dr Gary Wilson, Senior Lecturer in Law at Liverpool John Moores University * LSE Review of Books * Stretching the Constitution is insightful and thought-provoking. The book is recommended to scholars of constitutional affairs as well as to "political junkies" curious about the historical parallels and precedents behind the Brexit process. -- Donata Krakowski-White * Canadian Law Library Review * This book brutally dissects the democratic calamity our constitutional system brought upon itself through the European Union referendum of June 2016. But it also gives cause for optimism. By looking to the past, the author uncovers possible solutions to many of the dilemmas we face today. They range from the tension between direct and representative government to the abuse of online campaigning. All those concerned about the future of the United Kingdom constitution must read Blick's latest work. -- Graham Allen, Visiting Professor, King's College London. Chair of the House of Commons Political and Constitutional Reform Committee, 2010-2015.