Description
The Scottish Labour Party is in an unprecedented position. Having been the leading party in Scotland for fifty years it lost an election and office to the SNP in 2007. This book addresses, examines and analyses the last thirty years of Scottish Labour, from the arrival of Thatcherism in 1979 to the aftermath of the party's defeat in the 2007 Scottish Parliament elections. It asks fundamental questions about the nature of Scottish Labour, its dominance of Scottish politics, the wider politics of Scotland, and whether the decline is irreversible. Covering both contemporary events and recent history, it draws on extensive research including archival sources and interviews with some of the key participants in Scottish Labour.
About the Author
Gerry Hassan is a writer, researcher and broadcaster on Scottish and UK politics and policy, and co-author of The Political Guide to Modern Scotland: People, Places and Power (Politico's 2004). Eric Shaw is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Stirling. He is author of Losing Labour's Soul (Routledge, 2007) and Discipline and Discord in the Labour Party (Manchester University Press, 1988).
Reviews
'In this significant book, two scholars with a deep understanding of the Labour Party have explored the 'myth of Labour Scotland'. By 'myth' the authors capture the very real strength of Labour in Scotland but also the equally important existence of a widespread belief in Labour's dominance. They explain why the belief in Scottish Labour hegemony was less real than was often imagined and how devolution, especially its more proportional voting system, exposed the myth. The authors explore how this happened and devolution's impact on the party. The book combines public policy analysis, analysis of Labour's changing electoral base, the impact of New Labour, governing Scotland under devolution and its efforts to address the Scottish Question. This is not only the most up to date book on Labour in Scotland but the most comprehensive analysis of the party. It is required reading for anyone seeking to understand modern Scottish politics.' -- Professor James Mitchell, School of Government and Public Policy, University of Strathclyde
Book Information
ISBN 9780748640027
Author Gerry Hassan
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Edinburgh University Press
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Weight(grams) 565g
About the Author
Gerry Hassan is a writer, researcher and broadcaster on Scottish and UK politics and policy, and co-author of The Political Guide to Modern Scotland: People, Places and Power (Politico's 2004). Eric Shaw is a Senior Lecturer in Politics at the University of Stirling. He is author of Losing Labour's Soul (Routledge, 2007) and Discipline and Discord in the Labour Party (Manchester University Press, 1988).
Reviews
'In this significant book, two scholars with a deep understanding of the Labour Party have explored the 'myth of Labour Scotland'. By 'myth' the authors capture the very real strength of Labour in Scotland but also the equally important existence of a widespread belief in Labour's dominance. They explain why the belief in Scottish Labour hegemony was less real than was often imagined and how devolution, especially its more proportional voting system, exposed the myth. The authors explore how this happened and devolution's impact on the party. The book combines public policy analysis, analysis of Labour's changing electoral base, the impact of New Labour, governing Scotland under devolution and its efforts to address the Scottish Question. This is not only the most up to date book on Labour in Scotland but the most comprehensive analysis of the party. It is required reading for anyone seeking to understand modern Scottish politics.' -- Professor James Mitchell, School of Government and Public Policy, University of Strathclyde
Book Information
ISBN 9780748640027
Author Gerry Hassan
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Edinburgh University Press
Publisher Edinburgh University Press
Weight(grams) 565g
