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Inside Britain: A Guide to the UK Constitution
Citizenship Foundation, 2006
ISBN: 0-340-92986-3

Review by Nicola Whitehead

Given the recent decline in political activism amongst the under 25s, this book should be seen as a welcome arrival. Inside Britain: A Guide to the UK Constitution is intended both to increase students’ understanding of the UK Constitution, whilst simultaneously spurring in them a more general interest in politics; but does it achieve its aim?

The book is split into small, manageable sections, which deal extensively with a number of significant issues. These include Citizens’ Rights, Immigration and Asylum, the role of the Prime Minister, Cabinet and Monarchy, and Equality. Although the extent to which the British Constitution differs from others is never fully developed by the writers, this does not appear to undermine the overall quality of the information they offer.

The authors, Tony Thorpe and Richard Jarvis, have steered away from conventional textbook style jargon, opting for an accessible and easy to read style, which is both comprehensible and intelligent. Unlike most literature dealing with political issues, Inside Britain is bright, colourful and engaging, and more closely resembles a book-length magazine than your average school textbook. The book incorporates a wide variety of recent examples to help support and explain the issues that are being discussed, and this means that topics are made relevant.

The only problem with Inside Britain is that it seems to be trying too hard to grab the reader’s attention. Page after page is filled with large numbers of pictures and photographs, many of which are unnecessary and serve only to detract from the words on the page. When describing, for example, the Cabinet’s rejection of Thatcher’s ideas for the reform of the trade unions in 1979, does an image of a wastepaper basket filled with rubbish really do anything to enhance the example? Probably not.

Of course the fundamental question to consider is this: will this book in any way augment students’ interest in the UK Constitution, or in politics in general? Free copies are being sent to schools, ensuring that pupils will have direct access to the material; however this does not guarantee that they will read it. The title itself can hardly be said to instil confidence into the mind of any perspective reader. Inside Britain seems to be better suited to a young person who has an underlying interest in politics and would like to know more, rather than the average 15-year old who cannot see how the UK Constitution is remotely relevant to their everyday life.