Scotland Decides

Scotland has a parliament for the first time in almost 300 years, and this book is an account of how this came about. The authors trace the origins and history of the demand for home rule in Scotland, focusing particularly on developments following the failure of the first referendum on the issue in 1979, which culminated in a second referendum in September 1997.This major political event attracted national and international interest, and its decisive result was a milestone in Scottish history. This work presents an analysis of the referendum campaign at both national and local levels, including media coverage of the event and the outcome. The reactions of voters are explored on the basis of a large survey of the electorate, and lessons to be learnt about referendums in the UK and elsewhere are discussed.

'If one wants a comprehensive examination of the Scottish referendum this is the book to buy ... it is not an exaggeration to describe the work as a masterpiece of its genre.' - British Politics Group Newsletter'This book represents an extremely valuable contribution to the literature and must be highly recommended.' - Regional and Federal Studies'The real value of the book lies in its analysis of the lead-up to, and the information generated by, the 1997 referendum ... if we are indeed moving toward a quasi-federal island, then there is much to be learned here.' - Talking PoliticsContemporary British History"an exceptional book which reveals the motives and aspirations of Scottish Voters""the real value of the book, however lies in its analysis of the lead-up to, and the information generated by, the 1997 referendum...if we are indeed moving toward a quasi-federal island, then there is much to be learned here"

David Denver, James Mitchell, Charles Pattie, Hugh Bochel