Chapter I: Preface: To First Edition

This book is not a disquisition on the details of the Home Rule Bill. It is an examination into the leading principles of the Bill with a view to establishing two conclusions. The first is, that the Home Rule Bill, though nominally a measure for the government of Ireland, contains in reality a New Constitution for the whole United Kingdom. The second is, that this New Constitution must work injury both to England and to Ireland, and instead of 'closing a controversy of seven hundred years, opens a constitutional revolution. The whole aim, in short, of the book is by the collection together of arguments which separately have been constantly used by Unionist statesmen, to warn the people of England against a leap in the dark.

A.V. DICEY.

OXFORD: _May_ 1893.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I OLD AND NEW CONSTITUTION

Home Rule Bill a New Constitution for United Kingdom, p. 1.--The present constitution, p. 2: 1. Effective authority of Parliament throughout United Kingdom, p. 2: Distinction between supremacy of Parliament in United Kingdom and supremacy of Parliament in Colonies, p. 4: 2. Absence of federalism, p. 6: The New Constitution, p. 8: 1. Abolition in Ireland of effective authority of Imperial Parliament, ib.: 2. Introduction of federalism, p. 13.--Features of federalism, p. 15: Restrictions on Irish (State) Parliament, ib.: Imperial (federal) Parliament, ib.: Means for enforcement of federal compact, ib.: Recognition of federal spirit, p. 17.--Importance of change in constitution, p. 19.--The New Constitution an unknown constitution, p. 19.