Parliamentary Sovereignty in the UK Constitution: Process, Politics and Democracy

Description

The status of the doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty in the contemporary UK Constitution is much contested. Changes in the architecture of the UK Constitution, diminishing academic reverence for the doctrine, and a more expansive vision of the judicial role, all present challenges to the relevance, coherence and desirability of this constitutional fundamental. At a time when the future of the sovereignty of Parliament may look less than assured, this book develops an account of the continuing significance of the doctrine. It argues that a rejuvenation of the manner and form theory is required to understand the present status of parliamentary sovereignty. Addressing the critical challenges to the doctrine, it contends that this conception of legally unlimited legislative power provides the best explanation of contemporary developments in UK constitutional practice, while also possessing a normative appeal that has previously been unrecognised. This modern shift to the manner and form theory is located in an account of the democratic virtue of parliamentary sovereignty, with the book seeking to demonstrate the potential that exists for Parliament - through legislating about the legislative process - to revitalise the UK's political constitution.

Michael Gordon is a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Liverpool.

...Gordon's book is undoubtedly well researched, logically argued, readable and stimulating. It is a valuable addition to [a] growing body of material on the role of parliamentary sovereignty in the UK Constitution... -- Dr Simon Lavis * Journal of Commonwealth Law and Legal Education * The entire book is detailed and very well argued...it is the best attempt I have seen at saving the concept of parliamentary sovereignty. -- Ronan Cormacain * The Theory and Practice of Legislation * Gordon's book makes an excellent contribution to the literature, providing food for thought for many years to come. -- Alison L Young * Public Law *