The fourth edition of this textbook has been comprehensively rewritten and updated by Lynton Robins and Robert Leach to provide a concise but definitive introduction to British politics and government after more than five years of New Labour government. As well as according greater attention to the growing role of the European Union in politics, this edition provides full coverage of the major changes in constitutional arrangements and governance under Tony Blair and makes comparisons throughout between politics in the United Kingdom and in other democratic political systems.