The Brexit Shock: A Constitutional Perspective

The prospect of Brexit has produced an episode of prolonged political turmoil more intense and sustained than any other in the peacetime history of the UK. The precise end is not yet in sight. One aspect of this disruption as been uncertainty in the political system itself: the constitution of the United Kingdom. In the wake of a referendum, an exercise in direct democracy, traditional understandings and conventions involving vital institutions of representative democracy such as Cabinet, Parliament, the devolved systems and the political parties have broken down. How, when and whether they will be restored remains uncertain.

At this event, the Director of the Centre for British Politics and Government, Dr. Andrew Blick, speaks on the subject of his recently published book 'Stretching the Constitution: the Brexit shock in historic perspective' (Hart, 2019). He updates it to take into account recent and ongoing developments. Dr. Blick will ask, from a constitutional standpoint, how the Brexit episode came about; was it tells us about our constitution, and what Brexit might mean for the future of the way the UK governs itself.

Chair:

Dr Elizabeth Gibson-Morgan, University of Tours & KCL

Speakers:

Dr Andrew Blick (KCL), Director of the Centre for British Politics and Government

Alexandra Runswick, Director of Unlock Democracy