Bringing the picture right up to date, this sixth edition of the most reliable basic text on recent political history not only discusses domestic policy and politics in particular, but also covers external and international relations.

New additions for this edition include:

• a discussion of 11 September 2001
• the Iraq War and after
• the election of Iain Duncan Smith and Michael Howard as leaders of the Conservative Party
• immigration, asylum and identity
• the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles
• the 2005 election and Blair's standing as Prime Minister
• the controversy over fox hunting, the Gambling Act and 24-hour drinking
• the importance of China on the British arena.

Established and authoritative, this volume is a crucial text for all students of contemporary British history and politics.