Labour MP and academic Tony Wright's provocative critique of myths of British democracy. He exposes the reality of the constitution, setting out the radical shifts in thinking that are needed for reform. `In this gloomy period for those who wish to see the British state modernised, this essay from Tony Wright comes as a refreshing read.' - Financial Times`Wright ... argues persausively for the urgent need to give a "contemporary meaning to the democratic idea" - a meaning that can be articulated in a public philosophy and put to work in political practice'. - Stuart Weir, New Statesman and Society`... a book that will surely be numbered among the few classic essays on the British constitution.' - Bernard Crick, Political Quarterly`... a sparkling essay on the problems of the current poitical order... moving upwards and outwards from where Hailsham left off in his Dimbeleby lecture.' - Parliamentary Affairs`... a highly seminal work on the the most important political problem facing Britain at the end of the twentieth century... should be compulsory reading for all politicians and everyone concerned with their country's future wellbeing. We can expect to hear reverberations from it for many years.' - Representation`Both students and teachers will find it a thought provoking essay and parts of it have already produced some interesting debates among my own students.' - Talking Politics`... examines some of the traditionally held views about the nature of British politics and offers some cogent and alarming conclusions.' - Sunday Times`... this book has caught the breeze that heralds the storms to come.' - Tribune