Peter G. Richards

Originally published in 1973 and revised as a third edition in 1978, this book provides a concise introductory account of the system of local administration since the Local Government Act of 1972 produced the most-far-reaching change in England and Wales since 1888. The book shows why such a major shake-up was necessary, and how the policies evolved which produced the new pattern of local authorities. The book contains basic factual material about the constitution and powers of the new councils and discusses the major problems which confront them. It also considers the respective roles of councillors officials and the political circumstances within which local government has to work.

Originally published in 1970, this book has a dual purpose. Firstly, it is a study of how Parliament works when the party whips are withdrawn. The author shows how backbenchers can create legislation of great importance; he demonstrates the obstacles, political and procedural to social reform; he relates the votes of MPs to their personal characteristics e.g. age, religion and occupation, and he argues that Parliament achieves a fresh vigour and authority when MPs think and act independently of party policy. Secondly, Parliament and Conscience analyses 6 major controversies in British society in the late 20th Century: the death penalty, homosexuality, abortion, theatre censorship, divorce and Sunday entertainment.

Originally published in 1956, this book outlines the history of delegation in local government since the establishment of county councils in 1888. It describes the use made of delegation over a wide range of council services. The technique of delegation has become more important in recent years and represents the compromise of the competing claims of county and district councils to control local government. This book is an important contribution both to the detailed study of local administration and to the debate on the future pattern of local government.

Originally published in 1956, this book outlines the history of delegation in local government since the establishment of county councils in 1888. It describes the use made of delegation over a wide range of council services. The technique of delegation has become more important in recent years and represents the compromise of the competing claims of county and district councils to control local government. This book is an important contribution both to the detailed study of local administration and to the debate on the future pattern of local government.

Originally published in 1978, this book covers all aspects of the development of local authorities; the changing types of people who worked in them – solicitors, trade unionists, politicians and reformers; the growing influence of political parties in local affairs; the widening concept of the purpose of local government and the attendant financial problems; the partnership and conflict with central government; the rise of the associations of local authorities and their influence over the many proposals to change the structure of local government in the late 20th Century.

Originally published in 1978, this book covers all aspects of the development of local authorities; the changing types of people who worked in them – solicitors, trade unionists, politicians and reformers; the growing influence of political parties in local affairs; the widening concept of the purpose of local government and the attendant financial problems; the partnership and conflict with central government; the rise of the associations of local authorities and their influence over the many proposals to change the structure of local government in the late 20th Century.

Originally published in 1973 and revised as a third edition in 1978, this book provides a concise introductory account of the system of local administration since the Local Government Act of 1972 produced the most-far-reaching change in England and Wales since 1888. The book shows why such a major shake-up was necessary, and how the policies evolved which produced the new pattern of local authorities. The book contains basic factual material about the constitution and powers of the new councils and discusses the major problems which confront them. It also considers the respective roles of councillors officials and the political circumstances within which local government has to work.

Originally published in 1970, this book has a dual purpose. Firstly, it is a study of how Parliament works when the party whips are withdrawn. The author shows how backbenchers can create legislation of great importance; he demonstrates the obstacles, political and procedural to social reform; he relates the votes of MPs to their personal characteristics e.g. age, religion and occupation, and he argues that Parliament achieves a fresh vigour and authority when MPs think and act independently of party policy. Secondly, Parliament and Conscience analyses 6 major controversies in British society in the late 20th Century: the death penalty, homosexuality, abortion, theatre censorship, divorce and Sunday entertainment.

Originally published in 1956, this book outlines the history of delegation in local government since the establishment of county councils in 1888. It describes the use made of delegation over a wide range of council services. The technique of delegation has become more important in recent years and represents the compromise of the competing claims of county and district councils to control local government. This book is an important contribution both to the detailed study of local administration and to the debate on the future pattern of local government.

Originally published in 1956, this book outlines the history of delegation in local government since the establishment of county councils in 1888. It describes the use made of delegation over a wide range of council services. The technique of delegation has become more important in recent years and represents the compromise of the competing claims of county and district councils to control local government. This book is an important contribution both to the detailed study of local administration and to the debate on the future pattern of local government.

This student mainstay continues to be organised around constitutional themes, with new material on local elections, the politics of the centre and the limits of state power. Essential for all introductory students of British politics and current affairs.

This student mainstay continues to be organised around constitutional themes, with new material on local elections, the politics of the centre and the limits of state power. Essential for all introductory students of British politics and current affairs.

This is the first full-scale study of how the British Parliament deals -- or tries to deal -- with questions of foreign policy. The problem of how a democracy should control its external relations was widely discussed during and after the First World War. The dangers of war in the atomic age mean that a re-examination of the problem is an urgent necessity. Parliament review domestic problems in great detail, but what can it do when faced with an international crisis such as the Soviet-U.S. confrontation over Cuba? Dr. Richards makes a searching enquiry into the special reasons for legislative impotence in this field -- the weakened position of Britain in world politics, the secrecy that surrounds diplomacy, the lack of information available to M.P.s and the restraints imposed by Parliamentary procedure. Some of these weaknesses cannot be overcome, but he suggests a number of measures to strengthen the authority of Parliament and enable it to represent public opinion more effectively. His book is an important contribution to the current discussion on the need for Parliament to make a drastic overhaul of its traditions and procedures.