In this landmark study, a thorough audit of British compliance with international human rights standards is carried out. The book identifies 42 violations and 22 near-violationsor  causes  for  concern.  It  provides  an  up-to-date  description  of  law  and  practice  withrespect to freedom of information; freedom of expression; freedom of assembly and publicprotest;  freedom  of  association  and  trade  unionism;  state  surveillance;  the  right  to  lifeand liberty; and the right to vote and stand in elections.

This study measures political freedom in the United Kingdom specifically against aunique  Human  Rights  Index,  specially  constructed  from  international  human  rightslaws  and  jurisprudence  by  the  authors.  The  Index  is  an  important  new  tool  formonitoring  human  rights  around  the  world.  It  is  already  being  used  to  monitor  newlegislation in the UK.

The  Three  Pillars  of  Liberty  is  the  first-ever  analysis  of  both  the  political  and  legalsystems for securing political freedom in the UK as a whole. It is the most rigorous andsystematic review of those systems yet published-and finds them wanting. It strikes atthe heart of the historic traditions of government and the rule of law in this country.This book will be essential reading for all those interested in their rights and the rightsof others.