Stretching the Constitution: The Brexit Shock in Historic Perspective

The book explores the constitutional implications of the European Union (EU) referendum result of 23 June 2016 and the policies executed in response to it. It assesses the role of Parliament in the Brexit process and considers the wider implications of Brexit for the UK constitution. It also addresses other issues with constitutional implications and proposes reforms to adapt the democratic system to changing environmental factors.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The European Union (EU) referendum result of 23 June 2016 has sparked significant debate and controversy, with its outcome having far-reaching implications for the United Kingdom (UK) constitution. The referendum, which asked voters whether the UK should leave or remain in the EU, resulted in a narrow vote to leave, with 51.9% of voters in favor and 48.1% against. This decision has led to a series of policies and actions being taken by the UK government in response to the referendum, including the triggering of Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, which began the process of the UK's withdrawal from the EU.

The implications of the EU referendum result for the UK constitution are complex and multifaceted. One of the key issues is the role of Parliament in the Brexit process. The referendum legislation, which was passed by the UK Parliament, gave Parliament a central role in the decision-making process, with the ability to pass legislation to trigger Article 50 and set the terms of the UK's withdrawal from the EU. However, there have been debates and disagreements over the extent to which Parliament should have been involved in the process, with some arguing that it should have had a greater say in the decision-making.

Another issue is the impact of Brexit on the UK's relationship with the EU and its other European neighbors. The UK's withdrawal from the EU will result in significant changes to the country's political and economic landscape, including the loss of access to the single market and the potential for increased trade barriers. This will have implications for the UK's trade, investment, and employment policies, as well as its relationship with the rest of Europe.

The EU referendum result has also raised questions about the role of referendums in the UK's political system. While referendums have been used in the past to allow citizens to have a say on important issues, such as the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, there are concerns about the potential for referendums to be used as a tool for political manipulation or to undermine the authority

The EU referendum result has also raised questions about the role of referendums in the UK's political system. While referendums have been used in the past to allow citizens to have a say on important issues, such as the Scottish independence referendum in 2014, there are concerns about the potential for referendums to be used as a tool for political manipulation or to undermine the authority of Parliament. This is particularly relevant in the context of Brexit, where the decision to leave the EU was made by a narrow margin and there are concerns that the result may not reflect the will of the entire population.

In addition to these issues, the EU referendum result has raised broader challenges for the UK's political system. These challenges include the need for greater political stability and cohesion, as well as the need to address social and economic inequality and address the impact of climate change. The UK government has committed to addressing these challenges through a series of policies and actions, including the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement and the establishment of a new Climate Change Committee.

However, there are also concerns that these policies and actions may not be enough to address the challenges facing the UK's political system. For example, there are concerns that the Withdrawal Agreement may not provide enough clarity or certainty for businesses and individuals, and that the Climate Change Committee may not have enough powers to address the impact of climate change. There are also concerns that the UK's political system may be too centralized and undemocratic, with too much power concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups.

To address these challenges, there are a series of proposals for reforms that could help to improve the democratic system of the UK. These reforms include the introduction of a more proportional voting system, such as the proportional representation system, which would ensure that more voices are heard in the political process and that the government is more representative of the entire population. There are also calls for greater transparency and accountability in the political system, including the establishment of an independent body to oversee political parties and campaigns and to ensure that they are operating in a fair and transparent manner.

In conclusion, the European Union (EU) referendum result of 23 June 2016 has had far-reaching implications for the UK constitution, with its outcome having significant implications for the country's political and economic landscape. The referendum has raised questions about the role of Parliament in the Brexit process, the impact of Brexit on the UK's relationship with the EU and its other European neighbors, the role of referendums in the UK's political system, and the broader challenges facing the UK's political system. To address these challenges, there are a series of proposals for reforms that could help to improve the democratic system of the UK, including the introduction of a more proportional voting system, greater transparency and accountability in the political system, and the establishment of an independent body to oversee political parties and campaigns. These reforms will help to ensure that the UK's political system is more representative, accountable, and responsive to the needs of its citizens.

Weight: 690g
Dimension: 163 x 241 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509905805