Overview

The Scottish Unionist Party was the dominant party of inter-war Scotland, and while its electoral fortunes declined with the rise of the Labour and Scottish National parties during the 1960s, it remained a significant force in Scotland after its 1965 rebranding as the Scottish Conservative Party. More recently, it experienced a modest electoral revival under the leadership of Ruth Davidson (2011-19). Yet while aspects of the party's history have received attention from historians and political scientists, it remains relatively neglected, with most publications either out of print or out of date. Strikingly, there exists no up-to-date, accessible single-volume history of the party from its origins in the late nineteenth century until present. Furthermore, a lot of Scottish Conservative history is coloured by mythology and political prejudice. This volume, the second in a series of Scottish party histories, plugs this significant gap in the literature.

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9781399506434

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Reviews

This is a lucidly written study covering almost two centuries of Conservative and Unionist politics in Scotland. It provides an insightful guide to ideology and policy; party organisation; leadership; electoral fortunes; and support base. It also illuminates the particular political challenges involved in the defence of a multi-national Union. --Graham Walker, Queen's University Belfast This is the most comprehensive and thoroughly researched work on the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties. Written in an accessible style, David Torrance synthesises an impressive range of secondary sources and uses primary material to make a fascinating, original contribution to our understanding of Conservativism, Unionism, Scottish politics and history. --James Mitchell, University of Edinburgh

Author Information

David Torrance, Constitutional Expert, House of Commons Library.

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