Overview

This is the true story of Winston Churchill and Scotland. In the popular imagination, Winston Churchill is the bulldog of 1940 uncompromising and Conservative. But in 1922 he was the reforming, progressive Liberal MP for Dundee who, after five successive election wins and a majority of 15,000, could confidently claim to have a seat for life. But one man had other ideas. This is the story of how god-fearing teetotaller Edwin Scrymgeour fought and won an election against Britain's most famous politician. Andrew Liddle vividly brings to life an extraordinary rivalry as it unfolded over fifteen years, and also explores for the first time Churchill's controversial Scottish legacy, including his attitude to devolution. 'Rich and well-written . . . a vital insight' The Scotsman 'A fascinating story' Times Radio 'A brilliant book' Andrew Adonis

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9781780278599

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Reviews

'Well-researched, well-written and genuinely groundbreaking … forces us to look anew at Winston Churchill’s relationship with Scotland'  -- Andrew Roberts, author of ‘Churchill: Walking with Destiny’ 'In a carefully researched and lively account, Andrew Liddle finally sets the record straight on Winston Churchill's attitude to Scotland'  * The House Magazine * 'A triumph ... demolishes myths about Churchill while examining a mistakenly neglected period of his political career'  -- Brian Taylor, former Political Editor, BBC Scotland 'A fine piece of revisionist historical writing which restores Churchill's place in Scotland's story'  -- David Torrance, historian and biographer 'Genuinely new and useful ... fills [the] gap in the historical record admirably and with no small measure of panache too'  -- Alex Massie, Scotland editor * The Spectator * 'a triumph of fact over the ubiquitous myths about Winston Churchill's hatred towards Scotland'  -- Alastair Stewart 'A brilliant new book by Andrew Liddle' -- Andrew Adonis * Prospect Magazine * 'a rich and well-written history of stirring times, as well as a vital insight into the early career of a politician who...was not always the dogged old reactionary of modern political legend' -- Joyce McMillan * The Scotsman * 'A fascinating story' * Times Radio * 'Liddle's diligent research helps shine a welcome light on this romanticised and maligned figure's Scottish years'  -- Megan Amato * Scottish Field * 'A rare treat to find something new in the ocean of Churchill scholarship, and Liddle pulls together a refreshing new take on Scotland to make for an entirely fresh viewpoint'  -- Alastair Stewart * Finest Hour * 'Until now, this phase of Churchill’s life had gone virtually undocumented in book form. Liddle plugs that gap with a captivating chronicle of an iconic, complex man during one of the most important, transitional phases of his political life'  -- Alastair Mabbot * The Herald * 'A masterclass in myth-busting, balance and page-turning readability' -- Steven Veerapen * Aspects of History * 'This is a highly readable account of an overlooked period in British political history'  -- Ian Cawood * Journal of Liberal History *

Author Information

Andrew Liddle is a writer and political consultant based in Edinburgh. He was previously Political Correspondent for The Press and Journal and Chief Reporter for The Courier. His first book, Ruth Davidson and the Resurgence of the Scottish Tories, was published by Biteback in 2018.

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