ABSTRACT
Great Britain is the only member of the EU which does not have a written constitution. As a political system, Britain is characterized by one-party dominance of the executive, which in turn dominates the legislature. Although alternation is rare, having occurred three times since Britain joined the EU in 1973, the party of government always has an eye on the median voter since vast numbers of seats can be lost or gained at elections with comparatively few popular votes shifting, on account of the electoral system. British governments are unlikely to take risks with issues such as European integration that do not immediately appeal to the median voter. Following the re-election of the Labour government in 20051 and the “no” votes in France and the Netherlands the forecast referendum to ratify the constitution in Great Britain was abandoned. Holding the referendum would, in any event, have been divisive for both the Labour and Conservative parties.
