The Manchester Papers give a forum for various writers to discuss the impact of the constitution on our daily lives. The authors were key participants in the Charter88/Independent Constitutional Convention in Manchester in November 1991.

All papers cost £1.50 each or £10.00 for the set of 12.

1. A Bill of Rights for Britain
Anthony Lester QC pioneered the use of the European Convention on Human Rights for British subjects. Here he makes a compelling case for a UK Bill of Rights to protect our basic freedoms.

2. Imagining a Democratic Culture
Marina Warner, author of The Lost Father and Indigo, looks forward to a society that acknowledges and celebrates diversity.

3. What Kind of Constitution?
Geoffrey Robertson QC presents a debate between the authors of four draft constitutions: John Macdonald QC, James Cornford, Tony Benn MP and Frank Vibert, and their critics: Jean Lambert, Sue Goss, Paul Hirst and R W Johnson.

4. Race and Citizenship
Yasmin Ali, Senior Lecturer at Lancashire Polytechnic, argues that any future settlement must tackle racism and addresses the dynamics within ethnic minority communities.

5. Women's Rights in Citizens' Europe
Elizabeth Meehan, Jean Monnet Professor at Queen's University, Belfast, argues that the European Community is enabling women to challenge traditional definitions of work and citizenship.

6. Making the Civil Service More Accountable
Robert Hazell, then Director of the Nuffield Foundation, proposes swift measures to render civil servants more accountable to their political masters and to the people.

7. Prospects for Democracy in Northern Ireland
Robin Wilson, Editor of Fortnight says a Bill of Rights and decentralisation of the British state would offer a new, peaceful future for the province.

8. The Media and the Constitution
Jean Seaton, author of Power Without Responsibility, argues that the real threat to freedom of expression is not the law, written or unwritten, but commercial pressures.

9. Europe and the Constitution
Frank Vibert, Director of the European Policy Forum, discusses the relationship between constitutional change in Europe and constitutional reform in the UK.

10. Democratic Innovation in Scotland
Isobel Lindsay, Convenor of the Scottish Constitutional Convention, outlines the implications of Scottish self-determination.

11. Towards Accountable Government
Nicholas Deakin, Professor of Social Policy at Birmingham University, says that commitment to equality, decentralisation and more imaginitive management is the key to democratising our government and public services.

12. Education for Citizenship
Gus John, Director of Education in Hackney, argues that if our education system is to encourage good citizenship, it must engage with radical discrimination, social justice and what it means to be British.

All papers cost £1.50 each (or £10.00 for the set of 12)