ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the transition from government to governance and the changing nature of British democracy. It examines the major changes which these developments have wrought in British politics, but also points to significant areas of continuity. Constitutional reform and the trend towards governance have brought about significant changes in British politics. The shift from government to governance has been evident at local level, where service provision functions have been transferred from elected local authorities to quangos, private companies and voluntary bodies. Although the opinion polls of 2015 indicated that the UK was unlikely to vote against EU membership in the forthcoming referendum, the polls before the 2015 general election were misleading, and there was no certainty that David Cameron would be able to persuade his European counterparts to accept the meaningful reforms which would make life much easier for campaigners who hoped for a 1975-style result on political issue.
