A History of the Scottish Liberals and Liberal Democrats / / David Torrance.

• Superior document: Title is part of eBook package: De Gruyter EBOOK PACKAGE COMPLETE 2022 English
• VerfasserIn: Torrance, David,
• Place / Publishing House: Edinburgh : : Edinburgh University Press, , [2022]; ©2022
• Year of Publication: 2022
• Language: English
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (234 p.)

Explores the development of the Scottish Liberal Party’s organisation, ideology and electoral performance over two centuriesDraws on extensive research including archival sources such as newspaper archivesIncludes interviews with key participants in Scottish Liberal/Liberal Democrat politicsProvides the only single-volume history of the party over two centuries, plugging a major gap in the literatureThe Scottish Liberal Party was the dominant party of Victorian Scotland. While its electoral fortunes declined with the rise of the Labour and (Scottish) Unionist parties during the 1920s, it remained a significant ‘third’ force in an increasingly crowded ‘Scottish political system’, particularly during the latter half of the 20th century. This was especially true following its 1988 merger with the Social Democratic Party to form the Scottish Liberal Democrats, when it helped shape the modern devolution settlement via the Scottish Constitutional Convention. This book examines both parties via a chronological presentation of their histories. Each chapter includes themes such as organisation, relations between the Scottish and UK parties, the deployment of ‘nationalist’ arguments and rhetoric, and strategic approaches (after 1922) to recover electorally and pursue certain constitutional aims including devolution for Scotland. It also presents a detailed examination of the party’s record in devolved and Westminster government after 1999.

Table of Contents

Frontmatter -- Contents -- Introduction: Scottish Liberalism and Scottish Society -- 1 ‘The Party of National Patriotism’: 1832–1880 -- 2 ‘The Only Relevant Feature of Scottish Political Life’: 1880–1906 -- 3 Liberal Scotland: 1906–1922 -- 4 The ‘Strange Death’ of Liberal Scotland: 1922–1946 -- 5 ‘Intransigence and Domestic Strife’: 1946–1964 -- 6 ‘Home Rule in a Federal Britain’: 1964–1979 -- 7 ‘Breaking the Mould’ of Scottish Politics: 1979–1988 -- 8 ‘Guarantors of Home Rule’: 1988–1999 -- 9 In and Out of Government: 1999–2021 -- Conclusion: Whither Scottish Liberalism? -- Appendix 1 – Party Leaders -- Appendix 2 – Election Results -- Bibliography -- Index