In the first work of its kind, Brazier successfully tackles the Herculean task of describing and evaluating contemporary Ministerial life and how it is affected by the law, constitutional convention, and political practice. Ministers of the Crown provides a detailed and concise description of the legal and political position of Ministers, and of their work within the contemporary British governmental system. It covers the daily work of Ministers in their departments and collectively in government; their benefits and pay; as well as how politicians prepare themselves for office and the legal and other qualifications which are required for appointment. Detailed coverage is given to Ministers as legislators, how Ministers are required to exercise their legal powers, and the position of Ministers as plaintiffs and defendants. Finally, the loss of office, and its consequences, is considered. As a detailed assessment of Ministerial life this book is invaluable, but Brazier's capacity to bring the Ministerial world to life using a wealth of contemporary and fascinating detail, transforms a potentially dry subject.

This new third edition has been fully revised and updated to include the constitutional changes that are being implemented by the labour government. The book evaluates the law and practice of British central government, this includes: an overview of the constitution of the United Kingdom in the light of devolution; choosing a Prime Minister and government; the transfer of power; the Prime Minister and the cabinet; Ministers and government departments; the Opposition; the Monarchy, and the constitutional position of the judges.

When the door closes on one prime minister's rule, what happens next? General elections are only one possible way to enter 10 Downing Street. Using all relevant constitutional conventions, precedents, non-legal codes, historical events, and laws, this title offers a comprehensive account of all the circumstances in which the premiership is attained and lost. Over seven chapters, this book follows the sequence of events starting with how a prime minister can lose office, continues on to examine the procedures that then have to be followed, and considers at length the ways in which a politician can become leader of the country. Also explored are the possible emergencies, such as the sudden serious illness or even death of a prime minister, and their constitutional responses. This book concludes by looking at whether the procedures discussed could be set out in an authoritative and user-friendly code, and a sample one is suggested. Covering historical examples and modern turmoil, this book in an essential guide for understanding the rules and processes involved in choosing a prime minister.

This new third edition has been fully revised and updated to include the constitutional changes that are being implemented by the labour government. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of the current British Constitution and evaluates the law and practice of British central government, this includes: an overview of the constitution of the United Kingdom in the light of devolution; choosing a Prime Minister and government; the transfer of power; the Prime Minister and the cabinet; Ministers and government departments; the Opposition; the Monarchy, and the constitutional position of the judges.

The third edition of Constitutional Reform examines central government, Parliament, and the judiciary in Britain and proposes an agenda for reform. In addition to issues such as voting reform, reform of House of Lords and how citizens' rights might be better protected, the book considers the best methods through which such changes should be achieved and provides material for the international comparison of constitutions. Whilst the book has been fully revised and updated to provide a retrospective analysis of the major constitutional reforms of Tony Blair's premiership, it is not limited to that government's agenda and includes material on previous government's reforms and Gordon Brown's reform agenda. The third edition includes two new chapters, one on the structure and possible future of the United Kingdom and the other on whether the United Kingdom should adopt a codified constitution. It retains the clarity and lucid writing style of previous editions and features an expanded bibliography enabling readers to follow up points of particular interest. The book provides detailed coverage of British constitutional reform in the early twenty-first century and whilst aimed primarily at students of constitutional law, politics and government, it will also be of interest to the general reader.