Synopsis
The early 21st century has already witnessed major events and issues in British politics including the Iraq war and its aftermath, European Union enlargement, the 7 July 2005 London bombings and new leaders for the Conservative Party and the Liberal Democrats. The country's government machinery is also changing in face of the challenges of multi-level governance, as less power is concentrated in the familiar territories of Westminster and Whitehall. The introduction of new electoral systems and emergence of a new multi-party political system have done little to lessen apathy amongst voters, while a minority have become increasingly attracted to other forms of direct political participation.
Incorporating a wealth of figures, tables, graphs and photos, British Politics provides a clear and confident guide to a political system in a state of change. User-friendly and fully up to date in its coverage, this new book applies the accessible style of its predecessor, Contemporary British Politics, to the fast-changing British political arena of today.