This volume traces and illustrates the debate on representative democracy in Britain from its origins to the present. Drawing on a range of sources (from formal works of social and political theory to fiction and poetry), it presents the conflicting opinions and views of politicians and writers on all the important aspects of this debate. Successive chapters cover: the constitution (written and unwritten); the balance of powers between different groups in society; the social contract and the nature of freedom under the law; the powers of Parliament, Cabinet, the Prime Minister and the Opposition; the role of the MP; the enfranchisement of women; freedom of speech; the representation of minorities; and other key issues. The volume ends with a chapter on the possibilities and problems of a democratic culture. This introductory reader should be of interest to all students and teachers of political thought, as well as by all those concerned to understand the nature of Britain's representative democracy.