A History of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties

The Scottish Conservatives have had a significant impact on Scottish politics, having been the dominant party in inter-war Scotland and experiencing a modest electoral revival under the leadership of Ruth Davidson. However, their history has been neglected, with most publications out of print or out of date. This volume aims to fill this gap in the literature by providing an up-to-date, accessible single-volume history of the party from its origins in the late nineteenth century until present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 31 December 2023
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Drawing on extensive research including archival sources,it provides a comprehensive and balanced account of the party s history,from its origins in the late nineteenth century until the present day. The book examines the party s rising popularity in between the 1920s and 1950s as well as its decline in the 1960s and 1970s. It also explores the party s attempts to modernize and rebrand itself in the 1980s and 1990s,and its subsequent decline under the leadership of David Cameron and Theresa May.

The book is written in a clear and accessible style,making it suitable for both academic and general readers. It includes a range of illustrations and photographs,which help to bring the history to life. Overall,this is an essential read for anyone interested in Scottish politics and the history of the Scottish Conservative Party.
The Scottish Unionist Party was the dominant party of inter-war Scotland, and while its electoral fortunes declined with the rise of the Labour and Scottish National parties during the 1960s, it remained a significant force in Scotland after its 1965 rebranding as the Scottish Conservative Party. More recently, it experienced a modest electoral revival under the leadership of Ruth Davidson (2011-19). Yet, while aspects of the party's history have received attention from historians and political scientists, it remains relatively neglected, with most publications either out of print or out of date. Strikingly, there exists no up-to-date, accessible single-volume history of the party from its origins in the late nineteenth century until present. Furthermore, a lot of Scottish Conservative history is coloured by mythology and political prejudice. This volume, the second in a series of Scottish party histories, plugs this significant gap in the literature.

Drawing on extensive research including archival sources, it provides a comprehensive and balanced account of the party's history, from its origins in the late nineteenth century until the present day. The book examines the party's rising popularity in between the 1920s and 1950s as well as its decline in the 1960s and 1970s. It also explores the party's attempts to modernize and rebrand itself in the 1980s and 1990s, and its subsequent decline under the leadership of David Cameron and Theresa May.

The book is written in a clear and accessible style, making it suitable for both academic and general readers. It includes a range of illustrations and photographs, which help to bring the history to life. Overall, this is an essential read for anyone interested in Scottish politics and the history of the Scottish Conservative Party.

The Scottish Unionist Party was the dominant party of inter-war Scotland, and while its electoral fortunes declined with the rise.

Weight: 372g
Dimension: 139 x 215 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399506434