Unwritten Rules: Britain's Constitutional Revolution‪.‬

DONLEY T. STUDLAR is Eberly Family Distinguished Professor of Political Science at West Virginia University and Executive Secretary of the British Politics Group. When the New Labour government led by Tony Blair took office in May 1997, one of its most distinctive policies was its program of constitutional reform. Indeed, few British parties have ever campaigned so consistently on constitutional issues. From its first days in power, Labor promoted its constitutional reform agenda, which includes devolution to Scotland and Wales, an elected mayor and council for London and possibly other urban areas, removal of the voting rights of hereditary peers in the House of Lords, incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights into British law, a Freedom of Information Act, and electoral reform at various levels of government, including a referendum on changing the electoral system for Members of Parliament. The nature of Labour's constitutional proposals, including their inspiration, implementation, and impact, will certainly play a dominant role in the future of British politics.