A History of the Scottish Liberals and Liberal Democrats - by David Torrance (Paperback)

About the Book

Explores the development of the Scottish Liberal Party's organisation, ideology and electoral performance over two centuries

Book Synopsis

The 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.

From the Back Cover

How has Scottish Liberal Party's organisation, ideology and electoral performance developed over the past two centuries? The 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. David Torrance is the author of more than a dozen books on Scottish and UK politics, including, Standing up for Scotland: Nationalist Unionism and Scottish Party Politics, 1884-2014 (Edinburgh University Press, 2020). He was formerly a freelance broadcaster and journalist, which included a weekly column for The Herald newspaper between 2013 and 2018.

Review Quotes

a highly readable, informed and much to be commended account of Scottish Liberal and Liberal Democrat history.--Jim Wallace, former Deputy First Minister of Scotland "Journal of Liberal History"

David Torrance is a prolific and well-respected author, and a leading authority on Scottish politics. The text is well-researched and detailed. There is certainly a need for more texts on Scottish party politics, getting beyond the superficial treatment in the media. The work has the great advantage of being historically informed, while taking us to the present day.--Michael Keating, Emeritus Professor of Politics, University of Aberdeen

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

Torrance (journalist) explores the history of the Scottish Liberals and Liberal Democrats from their Victorian heyday through their strange death in the interwar years and their more recent role as a single, influential minor party. Torrance provides a good, updated, and much-needed overview of Liberal politics. Summing Up: Recommended. Advanced undergraduates through faculty.--M. K. Thompson "CHOICE connect"

About the Author

Dr David Torrance is a constitutional expert at the House of Commons Library. Prior to that, he was a freelance journalist, broadcaster and writer for almost 20 years. As a columnist with the Herald newspaper, he was one of the leading commentators on Scottish and UK politics during the 2014 independence and 2016 Brexit referendums, while as the author or editor of almost 20 books, he has published unauthorised biographies of the SNP leaders and First Ministers Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon. He has a PhD in history and political science.