Book Review: Katrin Auel and Tapio Raunio (eds), Parliamentary Communication in EU Affairs: Connecting with the Electorate?
| DOI | 10.1177/1478929916677773 |
| Date | 01 February 2017 |
| Author | Verena Kunz |
| Published date | 01 February 2017 |
| Subject Matter | Book ReviewsEurope |
Political Studies Review 15 (1)
assertion that Locke wrote his Two Treatises to
thick of it’. Consequently, the book is thor-
justify the Revolution settlement (p. 146).
oughly researched throughout, thereby pre-
While the author’s concerns about judicial
senting a solid foundation for its intellectual
over-reach are valid concerns, his argument is
arguments.
not a convincing one. As historical claims, the
The conclusion of Yong and Hazell’s
principles summarised in the book are not gen-
research is that the role of special advisers
erally disputed – parliamentary sovereignty
should be embraced. This challenges the notion
‘has long been regarded as the most fundamen-
that the role of special advisers, like speech-
tal element of the British Constitution’ (see
writers, is to be kept hidden from the public.
Goldsworthy (2001), The Sovereignty of The authors also argue that by acknowledging
Parliament, p. 1). But from this it does not fol-
their role at the heart of the political process,
low that Canadian courts have no power to
advisers can be supported and trained rather
strike down legislation. Canada has a written
than feared and eschewed. This would enable
Constitution, and it has long been a principle of
the public understanding of politics to improve
English law (and presumably the BSOG) that
and also dispel the myths created by satirists
courts are entitled to invalidate legislation
that special advisers have simply a negative
which exceeds the limits of the powers of the
impact upon British politics.
relevant law-making body.
This book will be of significant interest to
CHS Fifoot once wrote that legal history
scholars of British politics. Students hoping to
needs to be disinfected from the disease of pur-
embark on a political career will also find a
pose. This work is a textbook example of how
great deal to interest them in this book.
readily history written to serve a polemical
Furthermore, the book will...
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