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NEW BOOK: Meg Russell & Lisa James provide the first detailed account of the extraordinary way the Brexit process played out in parliament. Order with 30% off using code below!
“"A beautifully researched, thoughtful, and morally alert examination of one of the most difficult and divisive issues in British history." - Rory Stewart, Former Conservative Cabinet Minister and co-host of The Rest is Politics podcast
Following the 2016 referendum, the hotly contested issue of Brexit raised fundamental questions about the workings of UK democracy. While initially intended to re-establish 'parliamentary sovereignty', Brexit wrought significant damage on the reputation of parliament.
The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit by Unit Director Meg Russell and Research Fellow Lisa James, provides answers to those who want to understand the bitter arguments that occurred over Brexit, what might have been handled better, and the role that parliament played.
Charting the full story of the parliamentary battle over Brexit, Russell and James show that it wasn't always what it seemed. Using careful documentary research and extensive interviews with key protagonists, they explore multiple nail-biting moments, procedural innovations and political 'what ifs'. The book puts the events of Brexit into context and provides a clear and reliable document of record on a complex and disputed story. Ultimately, it argues that Brexit was largely a battle inside the Conservative Party for which parliament got the blame.
To receive 30% off The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit, order a copy below and use code AAFLYG6.
Events and podcasts
- Politics on the Couch Podcast: Populism, democracy and the parliamentary battle over Brexit (1 hr, 10 mins). Meg Russell with Rafael Behr. 21 March 2023.
- Constitution Unit Podcast: The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit and the Constitution (1hr, 14 mins). Meg Russell and Lisa James with David Gauke, Joanna Cherry and Robert Saunders. 23 March 2023.
- The Bunker Podcast: A losing battle: How Brexit tore parliament apart (32 mins). Meg Russell and Lisa James, with Ros Taylor. 28 March 2023.
- UK in a Changing Europe event: The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit and the Conservative Party (1hr, 15 mins). Meg Russell and Lisa James with Lord (Gavin) Barwell, Sir Graham Brady and Isabel Hardman. 29 March 2023.
- UCL Uncovering Politics podcast: Meg Russell and Lisa James talk to Alan Renwick (36 mins), 27 April 2023.
Summary blog posts on the book
- The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit and the constitution - Constitution Unit blogpost by Meg Russell & Lisa James, 23 March 2023.
- Five things you may not know about parliament and Brexit - UK in a Changing Europe blogpost by Meg Russell & Lisa James, 29 March 2023.
- The Parliamentary Battle over Brexit: The Story in Brief - PSA Parliaments blogpost by Meg Russell & Lisa James, 4 April 2023.
- The Privileges Committee matters; but Boris Johnson’s far greater dishonesty was over Brexit - Prospect article by Meg Russell (free to read), 28 April 2023.
This book is a key output from the ‘Brexit, Parliament and the Constitution’ project, funded through Constitution Unit Director Meg Russell's Senior Fellowship with the ESRC-funded UK in a Changing Europe (UKICE) programme.
