Defence and the UK Constitution

No area of government policy has the potential to be more consequential. No decision a prime minister makes is likely to be more important. But despite this, the defence and security of the United Kingdom rests on constitutionally unstable ground. Sweeping powers mean government can make choices about national defence and the deployment of our armed forces with only limited oversight from Parliament and the judiciary.

Defence and the UK Constitution charts the court cases and political manoeuvres which have defined UK defence and security policy across its history, and which dictate its future direction. In this concise and engaging work, public international law expert Professor Nigel D. White argues that an alternative direction is required: one which prioritises democratic principles, individual rights, and transparency above the interests of efficiency, secrecy, and executive power.

Nigel D. White is Professor of Public International Law and Deputy Head of School, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham. His expertise lies in the fields of United Nations law, peacekeeping law, sanctions, arms control law, the regulation of private security contractors, war powers, and military justice. He has written extensively on these topics on leading academic journals. His publications include Democracy Goes to War and The Law of International Organisations.