9781914979187
Does the United Kingdom’s constitution sufficiently protect its democracy from a rogue prime minister?
In light of the resurgence of the far Right across Europe and some of the rhetoric of the 2024 General Election, which carried whiffs of political authoritarianism, Could It Happen Here? explores the possible consequences of a British prime minister refusing to leave office. Mapping out the processes that might occur after such an eventuality, the responsibilities of key players in the United Kingdom’s democratic system, and the integrity of that system after years of stress, Peter Hennessy and Andrew Blick analyze the United Kingdom’s “unwritten” constitution and provide a crucial recommendation for protecting and strengthening the resilience of its parliamentary democracy.
In light of the resurgence of the far Right across Europe and some of the rhetoric of the 2024 General Election, which carried whiffs of political authoritarianism, Could It Happen Here? explores the possible consequences of a British prime minister refusing to leave office. Mapping out the processes that might occur after such an eventuality, the responsibilities of key players in the United Kingdom’s democratic system, and the integrity of that system after years of stress, Peter Hennessy and Andrew Blick analyze the United Kingdom’s “unwritten” constitution and provide a crucial recommendation for protecting and strengthening the resilience of its parliamentary democracy.
104 pages | 4.37 x 7.01 | © 2025
Political Science: Political Behavior and Public Opinion, Political and Social Theory

Table of Contents
Prologue 1
1. The Limpet Prime Minister: A System
Under Threat 5
2. Protecting the System 18
3. The Ten-Year Stress Test 53
Conclusion 86
Notes 88
1. The Limpet Prime Minister: A System
Under Threat 5
2. Protecting the System 18
3. The Ten-Year Stress Test 53
Conclusion 86
Notes 88
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