The Power of the Prime Minister

by Humphry Berkeley

Overview

Originally published in 1968, the theme of this book is the decline of the influence of the House of Commons in general and the rise in particular in the power of the Prime Minister. The author looks behind the myths of how our constitution operates to describe what was actually happening in practice in the 2nd half of the 20^th Century. The book highlights the way in which the Commons was failing to check and control the executive. It also makes valuable suggestions (which have since been adopted) to set up specialist committees, to consider the principal political issues of the day and how the House of Lords might be reformed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781032863450
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/01/2024
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Pages:	132
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Humphry Berkeley (1926-1994) was a British politician. He was well-known for his 3 changes of political parties and his early support for gay rights. In 1966, he introduced, and obtained a Second Reading for, the Sexual Offences Bill in the House of Commons. He was a sponsor of the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act. He was vice-President of the Anti-Apartheid Movement and Hon. Treasurer of the Howard League for Penal Reform.

Table of Contents

1.My Political Background 2. The Conservative Party 3. Immigration and Race 4. The African Story 5. The Commonwealth Link 6. The United Nations 7. Harold Macmillan 8. R.A. Butler 9. Iain Macleod 10. Edward Heath 11. Harold Wilson 12. Private Members Bills 13. Ambition and Office.

Editorial Reviews

Original reviews of France in World Politics:

‘…the introduction … [which] is a useful summary of France's main foreign-policy problems; the treatment of France and the chapters on francophonie offer intelligent insights.’ Choice

‘What  it  does  do  extremely  well  is  to  look  in  depth  at wider webs  of  French  interests  and  influence  -  interventionism  in  Africa,' co-operation'  versus  'dependence'  in  relations  with  the  Third  World  in general, the 'remnants of empire' (Overseas Departments and Territories),and  'francophonie'  (cultural ties with a much wider range  of countries). Philip G. Cerny, West European Politics, 13: 4 (1990). 

From the Publisher