This core text meets the needs of those involved in courses relating to the British political system. The author examines the institutions and practices of British government and politics and makes selective comparisons with the experience of other countries, mainly liberal democracies. In each chapter, there is a general comparative analysis of the theme, followed by a thorough examination of the situation in Britain. Three examples from overseas are then briefly explored. Key Features *Accessibly written, reliable and up-to-date *Offers an interesting and penetrating analysis of the political scene in Britain *Uses information and examples derived from the 2005 election *Informs the discussion of British politics by making appropriate international comparisons