The Kingdom to Come ─ Thoughts on the Union Before and After the Scottish Independence Referendum

Despite the “No” vote in the Scottish Independence Referendum of September 2014, the issue of potential Scottish secession from the United Kingdom has likely only just begun.The Kingdom to Come is the first book-length look at the consequences and implications of this momentous event.

Peter Hennessy discusses the run-up to the Scottish Independence Referendum and its immediate aftermath, as well as the constitutional issues the referendum opened for the entire United Kingdom. This book includes Hennessy’s personal impressions of recent questioning of the Acts of Union that created Great Britain and describes when he, as the top expert on Britain’s unwritten constitution, became an important voice in what might happen next.The Kingdom to Come also offers a valuable examination of the possible agenda for remaking the constitution in both the medium and long term.

Peter Hennessy is the Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History at Queen Mary University of London. Baron of Nympsfield since 2010, he is also a fellow of the British Academy.