A History of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties

The Scottish Unionist Party was a dominant force in inter-war Scotland but declined with the rise of Labour and Scottish National parties. It rebranded as the Scottish Conservative Party in 1965 and experienced a modest electoral revival under Ruth Davidson's leadership. However, its history is relatively neglected, with most publications out of print or out of date. This volume fills a significant gap in the literature, providing an up-to-date, accessible single-volume history of the party from its origins in the late nineteenth century until present.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

The Scottish Unionist Party (S.U.P.) was a dominant political force in Scotland during the inter-war period, but its fortunes declined with the rise of the Labour and Scottish National parties in the 1960s. However, it rebranded as the Scottish Conservative Party in 1965 and experienced a modest electoral revival under the leadership of Ruth Davidson from 2011 to 19. Despite its historical significance, the party's history has received limited attention from historians and political scientists, with most publications either out of print or outdated. This volume, the second in a series of Scottish party histories, aims to fill this significant gap in the literature. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the party's origins, development, and impact on Scottish politics from its inception in the late nineteenth century until the present day. It explores the party's policies, leadership, and electoral performance, as well as its relationship with other political parties and social movements. The book also examines the party's mythology and political prejudice, which have shaped its history and continue to influence its contemporary politics. The Scottish Unionist Party was founded in 1867 by a group of Scottish Conservatives who were opposed to the Liberal Party's policies on Ireland. The party's early years were marked by internal divisions and factionalism, but it gradually gained strength and influence in Scottish politics. In the 1920s, the party was led by Andrew Bonar Law, who was a prominent figure in British politics and helped to establish the party's reputation as a conservative and Unionist party. The party's electoral fortunes declined in the 1960s as the Labour and Scottish National parties gained popularity, but it remained a significant force in Scottish politics. In 1965, the party rebranded as the Scottish Conservative Party and under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, it experienced a period of electoral success. However, the party's fortunes declined again in the 1980s and 1990s, and it was only in the 2010s that it began to experience a modest electoral revival under the leadership of Ruth Davidson. The book explores the reasons for the party's electoral success and failure, including its policies, leadership, and relationship with other political parties and social movements. It also examines the party's role in shaping Scottish politics and society, including its impact on issues such as devolution, healthcare, and education. The book also includes a number of historical photographs and illustrations, which help to bring the party's history to life. In conclusion, the Scottish Unionist Party was a dominant political force in Scotland during the inter-war period, but its fortunes declined with the rise of the Labour and Scottish National parties in the 1960s. However, it rebranded as the Scottish Conservative Party in 1965 and experienced a modest electoral revival under the leadership of Ruth Davidson from 2011 to 19. Despite its historical significance, the party's history has received limited attention from historians and political scientists, with most publications either out of print or outdated. This volume aims to fill this significant gap in the literature by providing a comprehensive overview of the party's origins, development, and impact on Scottish politics from its inception in the late nineteenth century until the present day. The book explores the party's policies, leadership, and electoral performance, as well as its relationship with other political parties and social movements, and examines the party's mythology and political prejudice. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Scottish politics and history.

Weight: 468g
Dimension: 225 x 147 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399506427