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Constitutional Fracture
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01 July 2027

This book presents cutting-edge analysis of one of the most significant constitutional crises in recent British history: the prolonged and intense struggle between government and parliament for control over Brexit. It argues the crisis was very largely caused by the emergence of an Executive-centric approach to governance it dubs ‘Whitehall Plus’, and the strong parliamentary-push back it both provoked and responded to.
The book shows how the crisis exposed and widened deep fault-lines running through core doctrines and practices of the British constitution – profound disagreements long held unresolved and in abeyance, but which exploded into high-octane conflict during the period.
Tom Hickman KC is Professor of Public Law at University College London and a practising barrister.
Gavin Phillipson is Professor of Public Law and Human Rights at the University of Bristol.
1. Introduction
2. The Brexit Constitutional Crisis in Four Acts
3. Westminster and Whitehall and the Separation of Powers
4. Causes of Crisis
5. Westminster Redux
6. Whitehall Plus
7. Conclusion