'I fear for the future of Britain if we do not now tackle the task of constitutional reform. But action on these questions must be based on educated consent.' - Lord Scarman

The Sovereignty Lectures were conceived as a major platform to stimulate education and debate on constitutional issues. The lectures are not adversarial but are aimed instead at encouraging and deepening discussion.

All papers cost £2.00 each of £5.00 for the entire set.

1. Constitutional Change and the Future of Britain, Gordon Brown MP The text of the first Sovereignty Lecture, given on 9 March 1992.

Gordon Brown MP states, "Constitutional change is at the heart of the debate about the future of our country. Not incidental but integral to our future as a community... We can break out of the discredited alternatives of old style individualism" and "The challenge of the 1990's is to create, as we move towards a new century, a new settlement between individual and community."

2. The Recovery of the Constitution, Ferdinand Mount
The text of the second Sovereignty Lecture, given on 11 May 1992.

Ferdinand Mount (an advisor to ex-Prime Minister Thatcher) argues for a "collected and protected constitution" which will "disperse, devolve and pluralise power and responsibility." In this illuminating lecture, Mr Mount seeks to expand the common ground between differing political viewpoints over the need for constitutional change.

3. Is there Democratic Life After Maastricht? Shirley Williams, Carole Tongue MEP, Graham Mather & Tony Blair MP
Excerpts from the third Sovereignty Lecture, given on 15 June 1992 and the discussion that followed.

A distinguished panel responds to Shirley Williams' assertion that, "Without democratic life, Maastrich is a dead end," and discusses the role constitutional issues play in the debate over the future of Britain in Europe.

4. Why Britain Needs a Written Constitution, Lord Scarman
The text of the fourth Sovereignty Lecture, given on 20 July 1992.

Lord Scarman argues that not only is the need for constitutional reform urgent but it is needed "if defenceless and grossly under-represented groups are to have their human rights and their freedoms safeguarded." Drawing together the previous lecturers' arguments, Lord Scarman looks at where common ground exists and suggests where debate must go next. This is the lecture that prompted Hugo Young of the Guardian to identify Lord Scarman as "the major intellectual force" in constitutional debate over the last ten years.

5. Local Government and the Myth of Sovereignty, Neal Ascherson
The text of the fifth Sovereignty Lecture, given on 25 February 1994.

This fifth lecture, the first in Scotland, was given in the Royal Museum of Scotland. The discussants were Cllr. Daphne Sleigh, Conservative group leader on Edinburgh Council and David Martin, Labout MEP for the Lothians. It was chaired by Scottish film maker Leslie Hills.