Thrive: The Freedom to Flourish

Scotland is not as populated as Yorkshire, nor as wealthy as London, but it is not as Conservative, keen on Brexit, or willing to flog public assets to Tory party pals. Lesley Riddoch's book makes an impassioned call to action to explain why Scotland is ready to step forward as the world's newest state, and why we need optimism and contagious stories of inspiration to engage emotionally and dare to dream of better.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 26 May 2023
Publisher: Luath Press Ltd

Why won't Scots simmer down?

Why continue to beat the drum for independence when the people of Scotland voted against it a decade ago? After all, Scotland is not as populous as Yorkshire, nor as wealthy as London. However, it is also not as conservative, as keen on Brexit, or as willing to sell public assets to Tory party pals. So, does Nicola Sturgeon's departure ultimately damage the case for independence? The answer, with all respect to her legacy, is no.

Scotland has bigger fish to fry. In this book, Lesley Riddoch makes an impassioned call to action, weaving academic evidence with story, international comparison, and anecdote to explain why Scotland is ready to step forward as the world's newest state.

We need optimism. And contagious stories of inspiration. Told out loud. In the open. Repeatedly. So, folk can engage emotionally, dare to dream of better, and go get it.

Scotland is a social democracy stuck in a conservative state that is preoccupied with its own lost imperial status. And stuck, Scotland cannot thrive.

Let's cast aside preconceptions. Whichever way you voted in 2014 - if you did - the world, Europe, the UK, Ireland, and our Nordic neighbors have all changed. Scots need the freedom to change too - the freedom to flourish.

Weight: 288g
Dimension: 129 x 198 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781804250815