Whether domestically, financially or professionally, all our lives are affected by the actions and activities of Parliament. So, in order to make this invaluable publication available to a wider audience, the Parliamentary Yearbook, published in hard copy for more than thirty years, has for 2008 been produced on CD.

There are interesting times ahead for students of the parliamentary scene. The Prime Minister’s proposals for a major constitutional review potentially represent the biggest change to our constitution in living memory. There are individual measures like lowering the voting age and surrendering prime ministerial and ministerial powers to MPs, but perhaps the most fundamental proposal is the notion to establish a Bill of Rights and Duties and the creation of a written constitution.

Whatever happens constitutionally, government must continue to function; debates will still arise over the NHS, education, social services, inland security and the myriad other aspects of the UK handled by the Mother of Parliaments. No matter how much interest is generated by constitutional affairs, government is about commitment and achievement and it is these, the issues involved in the government of the nation, that are covered by the features in the Parliamentary Yearbook Online.

This CD is designed to make it easier to access these features as well as the invaluable contributions from our partners in the public and private sectors. My appreciation goes out to everyone who has been involved in its production.