The English Constitution - by William Elliot Bulmer

About the Book

This book centres constitutional reform in discussions of England and Englishness, and centres England in debates on constitutional reform. It includes the text of a constitution that builds on the heritage and tradition of Westminster Model democracy, combining long-overdue reforms with the restoration of neglected constitutional norms and values.

Book Synopsis

What is England? What is England's place in the United Kingdom - or indeed outside it? How should England be governed? What constitutional foundations are needed to secure English democracy?

In this ground-breaking book, Dr W. Elliot Bulmer makes the case for a written constitution for England. Informed by comparative constitutional scholarship and by practical experience of constitution-making around the world, the book ties together debates on English national identity with discussion on the constitutional future of England. It offers an English solution to the problem of the United Kingdom's constitutional disrepair and a constitutional solution to the problem of England's identity crisis.

Demonstrating that a written constitution both practical in the English context and compatible with the English constitutional tradition, the book includes an example draft constitution inspired by Westminster Model democracies in the Commonwealth.

From the Back Cover

The English Constitution offers both an English solution to the constitutional question and a constitutional solution to the English question.

The book ties together two conversations at the heart of constitutional politics in the United Kingdom today. One is the discussion about the decline and disintegration of the British constitution, and about the prospects for constitutional restoration and reform. The other is the conversation about the condition of England: English national identity, the revival of English nationalism, English devolution, and the possible unravelling of the United Kingdom.

Drawing upon the author's practical experience of providing technical support to constitutional review processes in many Commonwealth countries, the book sets out a written constitution applying the principles of Westminster Model constitutionalism to an English context.

A written constitution is presented as neither a radical innovation nor as a panacea, but as a practical and pragmatic solution to deep structural problems in the British state. It is argued that a written constitution of the sort proposed would be concordant with England's wider constitutional tradition.

The book uses this constitutional lens to re-examine the nature of Englishness in a post-imperial age. Is it possible to imagine a post-imperial England, reconstituted as a normal European constitutional democracy, but in ways that are faithful to its own heritage?

A vital resource for anyone interested in England's - and the UK's - constitutional future.

Review Quotes

'Dr Elliott Bulmer is a renowned scholar and highly regarded practitioner. The English Constitution is an exciting and path-breaking book. At a time where Englishness is associated with negative connotations this book promises a much-needed corrective. it is both thought-provoking, informative and essential for anyone wanting to understand the constitutional future of Britain. Highly recommended.'
Professor Matt Qvortrup, Senior Research Fellow, Australian National University

About the Author

W. Elliot Bulmer is an independent scholar of constitutional democracy and a former Senior Advisor on Constitution Building for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.