Federal Britain in Federal Europe?

T book is about how we govern ourselves. Recent developments in politics, economics and administration appear all to lead in one direction, and that is federal. Federalism can mean many different things to different people. In needs to be nailed down. This book does just that, pinning down its relevance to the changing structure of regional government in Britain and to the changing role that Britain plays in the developing federal structure of the European Union. These four essays from outspoken politicians and commentators ask the federal questions about Britain's changing constitution and our greater integration with the continent, and offer various answers. Their cogent arguments reflect the deep-seated hopes and feares of millions about how we are governed, showing how getting decision making down as near as can be to the citizen may carry costs as far as efficiency is concerned, but brings benefits for democracy. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, or on the costitutional issues that often divide the parties, this book will help to clarify the arguments about the right way to govern the country. These four essays from outspoken politicians and commentators ask the federal questions about Britain's changing constitution and our greater integration with the continent, and offer various answers. Their cogent arguments reflect the deep-seated hopes and feares of millions about how we are governed, showing how getting decision making down as near as can be to the citizen may carry costs as far as efficiency is concerned, but brings benefits for democracy. Wherever you stand on the political spectrum, or on the costitutional issues that often divide the parties, this book will help to clarify the arguments about the right way to govern the country

Austin Mitchell veteran and maverick, MP for Grimsby and loyal footsoldier in General Blair's army. Keynesian disposition and Euro-sceptic. Stephen Haseler is professor of Government at the London Guildhall University and co-director of Euro Research Forum. A leading advocate of a British Republic. His latest books are Britain & Euroland (Federal Trust) and Super Rich: Unjust World of Global Capitalism (Macmillan, 2000). Ian Taylor is Conservative MP for Esher & Walton (Esher 1987-1997). Ian Taylor is a Vice-Chairman of the European Movement and on the Council of Britain in Europe and of the German-British Forum.