Constitution Unit remembers Bob Morris

The Constitution Unit is sad to announce the death of Dr Bob Morris on 16 May, who served as an Honorary Senior Research Associate with us for over 25 years. An expert on monarchy, church and state, Bob was editor or co-editor of four books, eight Constitution Unit reports and a dozen journal articles. He also frequently appeared in the media, with over 100 appearances and mentions since 2021 alone.

Born in 1937, Bob did infantry National Service before reading History at Christ’s College, Cambridge in 1958. He then spent almost 40 years as a Home Office civil servant, working variously on crime, policing, security, prisons, immigration and constitutional matters. His last role, from which he retired in 1997, was as Assistant Under-Secretary of State and head of the Criminal Justice and Constitutional Department.

Arriving at the Constitution Unit, Bob developed a new work programme exploring the implications of disestablishing the Church of England. Then, as the late Queen’s reign drew to a close, his interest in church and state developed a new focus, on the need to update the accession and coronation oaths before the accession of a new monarch. This prompted a wider interest in the other constitutional monarchies of Europe, which notably resulted in the book The Role of Monarchy in Modern Democracy.

To commemorate Bob’s contribution, Professor Robert Hazell, founder and former Director of the Constitution Unit, has published an obituary in the Guardian and a longer tribute on our blog. He writes:

Bob will indeed be hugely missed. He was steadfast and loyal to all the institutions for which he worked; unfailingly reliable, courteous and good humoured, and immensely generous with his time as well as his wisdom and experience. Bob was still briefing journalists on behalf of the Unit within months of his death. He lived an extraordinarily full, active and useful life, right up until the end.

Key links:

• A tribute to Bob Morris – read Professor Robert Hazell’s tribute on our blog.
• Bob Morris obituary – read Dr Bob Morris’s obituary in the Guardian.

Bibliography of Dr Bob Morris's work

Books

• Co-editor with Michael Kandiah, The Home Office 1782-2007: From Prerogative to Precept (2024) (Strathmore Publishing).
• Co-editor with Robert Hazell, The Role of Monarchy in Modern Democracy: European Monarchies Compared (2020) (Hart).
• Editor, Reforming the Police in the Nineteenth Century (2014) (Pickering and Chatto).
• Church and State in 21st Century Britain: The Future of Church Establishment (2009) (Palgrave).

Constitution Unit reports

• With Robert Hazell, Swearing in the New King: The Accession and Coronation Oaths (Report 197, October 2022).
• With Robert Hazell, The Coronation of Charles III (Report 196, October 2022).
• Inaugurating a New Reign: Planning the Accession and Coronation (Report 181, May 2018).
• Swearing in the New King: The Accession Declarations and Coronation Oaths (Report 180, May 2018).
• With Robert Hazell, The Queen at 90: The Changing Role of the Monarchy, and Future Challenges (Report 170, June 2016).
• With Meg Russell and Phil Larkin, Fitting the Bill: Bringing Commons Legislation Committees into Line with Best Practice (Report 157, June 2013).
• Editor, Church and State Some Reflections on Church Establishment in England (Report 143, March 2008).
• With Frank Cranmer and John Lucas, Church and State: A Mapping Exercise (Report 133, April 2006).

Book chapters and articles

• With Robert Hazell, 'European Monarchies: Guardians of Democracy', (2020) Political Quarterly, 841-845.
• 'Preparing for the Next Coronation', (2018) Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 328-335.
• 'Half-Opening Cans of Worms: The Present State of "High" Anglican Establishment', Law and Justice, No 172 (September 2014), 10-26.
• 'Succession to the Crown Bill' (2013) Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 186-191.
• With Norman Bonney, 'The Commonwealth in the Twenty-first Century' (2012) Political Insight, 26-29.
• With Norman Bonneym 'Tuvalu and You: The Monarch, the United Kingdom and the Realms' (2012) Political Quarterly, 368-373.
• 'The Future of "High" Establishment' (2011) Ecclesiastical Law Journal, 260-273.
• 'The Future of the Monarchy: The Reign of King Charles III' in Hazell R (ed.) (2008) Constitutional Futures Revisited: Britain's Constitution to 2020 (Palgrave), 139-155.

Book reviews

• Gallen, J. Transitional Justice and the Historical Abuses of Church and State (CUP 2023), Journal of Church and State (2024), 273–274.
• Little D. Essays on Religion and Human Rights: Ground to Stand On (CUP 2015), Ecclesiastical Law Journal, Vol 19.1, January 2017, 94-97.
• Horwitz P. The Agnostic Age: Law, Religion and the Constitution (New York, OUP 2011), Ecclesiastical Law Journal, Vol.16.2, May 2014, 236-238.
• Rhodes R.A.W. Everyday Life in British Government (OUP 2011), Public Law (2012), 584-588.
• Chapman M. et al (2011) The Established Church: Past, Present and Future (T. and T. Clark), Journal of Church and State (2012), 297-299.