This book is an introduction to the UK’s constitution. This is a dynamic area of law and politics – the last 15 years have seen a surge of constitutional reform. Issues such as the UK’s relationship with the European Union, the possibility of Scottish independence, and the balance struck between individual civil liberties and the wider public interest under the Human Rights Act continue to generate debate among politicians, the media and the public. The book assumes no prior knowledge of the UK’s constitution. It starts from scratch, examining the institutions of government and the relationships between them in clear, practical terms. It uses plain English, diagrams and realistic contemporary examples to illuminate the key topics. You can check your progress through a companion website hosting short ‘pop quiz’ tests, and more detailed assessment- style questions and answers. It aims to help you to enjoy studying constitutional law, and to pass your examination. More importantly, it encourages you to think about your own democratic rights, as lawyers, citizens and electors. I would like to thank Lloyd Langman for commissioning the work, and Damian Mitchell, Fiona Briden and their colleagues at Routledge for overseeing the preparation and production of this text. I am also grateful for the constructive and detailed feedback from those who reviewed draft chapters; and to the many colleagues and students who have sustained my enjoyment of this fascinating area of law. In particular, I owe a rewarding career practising and lecturing in constitutional law to the support and encouragement of John Duddington, Walter Delin and Keith Bush, all of whom inspired me both as lawyers and as mentors.