Populism on Trial

In a Britain that is becoming increasingly fractious and intolerant, the responsibility for upholding the values of broadmindedness, pluralism and individual freedom is passing from the politicians to the judges. But the bonds of trust that bind people to their institutions are breaking down, and the values underpinning judicial law-making are now under threat from a new populism. Using vivid examples from the fall-out from Brexit, the threat to parliamentary democracy, the impact of terrorism and austerity and the actions of politicians trying to prevent judicial oversight of ministerial power, this book warns that the rule of law is a fragile ingredient of democracy which may too easily become side-lined unless it is vigorously upheld. Inigo Bing has spent his life in the law, first as a barrister and then as a judge, and has observed first-hand how values once regarded as sacred are now at risk from a new form of anger-driven and distrustful politics.

Inigo Bing is a recently retired barrister and circuit judge. He was a district judge (formerly metropolitan stipendiary magistrate) from 1989 to 2000 and a recorder from 1996 to 2000 before becoming a circuit judge on the South-eastern Circuit from 2000 to 2012, sitting at Snaresbrook Crown Court. His Honour Inigo Bing was elected a bencher of the Inner Temple in 2012. He is the author of Criminal Procedure and Sentencing in the Magistrates' Court (1990).