The former Prime Minister of New Zealand is among the distinguished names who have contributed to a new book on the UK’s constitution, edited by a Worcester expert.
Dr Chris Monaghan, Principal Lecturer in Law at the University of Worcester’s Law School, has just released Constitutional Actors in the UK Constitution, bringing together leading experts on the role played by actors within the UK’s constitution.
All but one chapter is written by a constitutional actor themselves, including former Clerk of the House of Commons Sir Malcolm Jack; former Lord Speaker Baroness D’Souza; former First Minister of Wales (Carwyn) Jones; and former Prime Minister of New Zealand Sir Geoffrey Palmer whose contribution offered a fascinating comparison between the UK and New Zealand constitutions.
Rather than offering traditional academic analysis, the book allows constitutional actors to look back on their own experiences and explain how their roles related to the UK’s constitution. They all write from first-hand experience of working in various areas of public life.
“A lot of people know who the Prime Minister is, and what ministers do,” said Dr Monaghan. “But many of the people who help the constitution to function work behind the scenes. This book gives those constitutional actors a voice and offers an insight into the roles they play.”
Other contributors include former High Court judge Sir John Saunders and leading barrister Aidan O’Neill KC, who represented campaigners in the Supreme Court case over Boris Johnson’s prorogation of Parliament.
Dr Monaghan said: “I find it fascinating to hear from people at the coalface, people who have been there, who are doing the job and who are informed by first-hand experience.”
Dr Monaghan, whose research focuses on constitutional law, said the book is aimed at anyone who’s interested in how the UK works and what happens behind the scenes of government and in public life.
“The contributors bring an extraordinary breadth of experience,” said Dr Monaghan. “It’s intended to be a very accessible book. The aim is to hear directly from people about what they do, why it matters and their view of the constitution and the institutions in which they have worked.”
Constitutional Actors in the UK Constitution, edited by Dr Chris Monaghan, is published by Hart Publishing and is available now.