Beyond Brexit: Towards a British Constitution

by Vernon Bogdanor

Brexit means exit, but what exactly will we be leaving behind?

Entry into the European Community in 1973 was a momentous event – one which had seismic effects on the politics and constitution of Britain. Brexit, while equally as momentous, has almost wholly been confined to discussions of economic consequence. But what will happen to the constitution?

Beyond Brexit looks for the first time at the constitutional impact of Brexit and the consequences of Britain's EU membership, raising the question of just how the United Kingdom is to be preserved. Vernon Bogdanor explores the ever-changing relationship between Britain and the European Union from the original concept of European unity to 21st century Euroscepticism, the fundamental problems confronting Britain on its exit from the European Union, and argues that Brexit is the start of new beginnings – heralding a peaceful constitutional moment. The new preface includes what questions need to be asked now that Britain has started the process of leaving the European Union.

Genres: Politics, Law, Nonfiction

304 pages, Paperback

Published January 28, 2021

About the author

One of Britain's foremost constitutional experts, Vernon Bernard Bogdanor is research professor at the Institute for Contemporary British History at King's College London and professor of politics at the New College of the Humanities. He is also emeritus professor of politics and government at the University of Oxford and an emeritus fellow of Brasenose College, Oxford.

Reviews

[Jackson Murray · Rating 2 out of 5]

This caught my eye in a UK bookstore and I decided to read it since I had known little about Brexit (at least its non-economic implications). The history of Britain’s relationship with Europe was really interesting, and I learned a lot about how the UK’s political system works (it is very different and, in my opinion, way stupider than the US).

I had vaguely thought of Brexit as a bubbling over of grievances over suffocating EU red tape and uncontrolled immigration, but through a broader lens of sovereignty and national identity (the focus of this book) it makes more sense why it happened, despite the political question marks it left for the country. The book definitely could’ve been slimmed down and it’s slightly outdated (2018) so I don’t know to what extent those question marks have been addressed. My quick search tells me there’s remarkably still no codified constitution!

[Marlon Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

his hopeful conclusion seems to be categorically incorrect but beyond that it’s rly interesting. especially on why parliament isn’t sovereign!

[Colin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informative argument by a most respected British authority about the need for a constitutional overhaul after Brexit. Rather than rehearse the arguments for and against leaving the EU, Vernon Bogdanor surveys briefly matters such as the troubled relationship between Britain and the EU; the way in which referenda have increasingly played a part in constitutional changes; the impact of human rights (especially the little recognised Charter of Fundamental Rights); and the changes wrought by devolution. Bogdanor's thesis that leaving the EU could and should lead to a new constitutional settlement.

It is an interesting and powerful argument, and the book offers in a dispassionate manner plenty of information and analysis to support this thesis.

My only reservations about this book are its style and construction. It smacks of being produced rather hurriedly and has the feel of a draft. At places, it is rambling and repetitive. The book would benefit from tighter editing and a clearer academic structure (e.g. a bibliography). Hopefully that will come in the future editions that are bound to be needed as the Brexit issue works itself through.

[Miles Procter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think a very well researched and argued book. Delving into themes in sometimes exhausting parliamentary detail, such as the politics of referendums, the devolution agreements and the realities of this in the EU context, and after, and the hot topic of how are human rights are to be protected now.

in the end I find the final argument that we are implicitly codifying our constitution and Brexit will prove a shock factor as to how unprotected our constitution really is, perfectly agreeable. 🤓

felt long, but enjoyable. Just below 4 stars

[Philip Chaston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bogdanor is excellent at mustering the developments and questions which constitutional change have brought; I don't support his answer but I look forward to those "constitutional moments" forthcoming - a form of muddling through....

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about Brexit in a fundamentally political way. Bogdanor understood the implications of Brexit without explicitly declaring a Remain/Leave preference, which in itself is refreshing! Helpful research for my dissertation.