Description
"The narrative presents the unfolding drama within the Palace of Westminster, its great institutions fired in the crucible of such momentous events as the English Civil War, the French Revolution and world wars." "More often cursed than praised by monarchs; intimidated by autocrats such as Wolsey and and Cecil; dissolved forcibly by Cromwell - its own champion - improbably Parliament survived and flourished. This account tells of great confrontations, illuminated by the careers of charismatic parliamentarians: Walpole, Pitt, Peel, Disraeli, Gladstone, and a host of others; the young Churchill hails Parliament as 'the shrine of the world's liberties'; and earthier Lloyd George later describes it as 'like a pub to a drunkard'." "Its capacity to call the powerful to account is Parliament's greatest single gift to a nation often disposed to undervalue it. That it has been imitated across the world is the measure of its standing." Appendices, diagrams and plans explain how Parliament functions, how legislation is made, and how government is scrutinised. The text is enriched by copious historical illustrations, and new colour photographs specially commissioned for the book, depicting events in and outside Parliament.
