The Witness of the Jews to God

Torrance, David

Religion & Spirituality

Handsel Pr

A History of the Scottish Liberals and Liberal Democrats

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.

History

Europe

Edinburgh University Press

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.

A History of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties

Standing Up for Scotland: Nationalist Unionism and Scottish Party Politics, 1884-2014

David Torrance reassesses the relationship between 'nationalism' and 'unionism' in Scottish politics, challenging a binary reading of the two ideologies with the concept of 'nationalist unionism'. Scottish nationalism did not begin with the SNP in 1934, nor was it confined to political parties that desired independent statehood. Rather, it was more dispersed, with the Liberal, Conservative and Labour parties all attempting to harness Scottish national identity and nationalism between 1884 and 2014, often with the paradoxical goal of strengthening rather than ending the Union. The book combines nationalist theory with empirical historical and archival research to argue that these conceptions of Scottish nationhood had much more in common with each other than is commonly accepted.

Politics & Social Sciences

Politics & Government

David Torrance reassesses the relationship between 'nationalism' and 'unionism' in Scottish politics, challenging a binary reading of the two ideologies with the concept of 'nationalist unionism'. Scottish nationalism did not begin with the SNP in 1934, nor was it confined to political parties that desired independent statehood. Rather, it was more dispersed, with the Liberal, Conservative and Labour parties all attempting to harness Scottish national identity and nationalism between 1884 and 2014, often with the paradoxical goal of strengthening rather than ending the Union. The book combines nationalist theory with empirical historical and archival research to argue that these conceptions of Scottish nationhood had much more in common with each other than is commonly accepted.\nFrom the Back Cover\nA history of ‘hidden’ nationalism in Scottish party politics This book reassesses the relationship between ‘nationalism’ and ‘unionism’ in Scottish politics, challenging a binary reading of the two ideologies with the concept of ‘nationalist unionism’. Scottish nationalism did not begin with the SNP in 1934, nor was it confined to political parties which desired independent statehood. Rather it was more dispersed, with the Liberal, Conservative and Labour parties all attempting to harness Scottish national identity and nationalism between 1884 and 2014, often with the paradoxical goal of strengthening rather than ending the Union. The book combines nationalist theory with empirical historical and archival research to argue that these conceptions of Scottish nationhood had much more in common with each other than is commonly accepted. David Torrance is a constitutional specialist at the House of Commons Library. He completed a PhD in history and political science in 2017, before which he was a journalist and broadcaster for almost 20 years. He is the author or editor of more than a dozen books on Scottish politics.

Alex Salmond is known throughout Scotland, the UK and beyond as the leader of the Scottish National Party and Scotland's First Minister, but relatively little is understood about Salmond as a human being, what makes him a Nationalist, what shaped his political views, and what sort of country he believes an independent Scotland can be. In this biography, with which close colleagues and friends have co-operated, acclaimed political biographer David Torrance turns his attention to one of the most capable and interesting politicians Scotland has produced in the last few decades. Utilising a raft of published and unpublished material, Torrance charts the life and career of Alex Salmond from his schooldays right up to the SNP's victory at the 2011 Scottish election.

Salmond: Against the Odds

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

Birlinn

How did a nippie sweetie’ from the West of Scotland become one of the most prominent politicians of her age? How has a life dominated by politics both inspired and repelled parts of the electorate? From the age of just 16, Nicola Sturgeon has devoted her life to the SNP her determination and grit finally winning her one of Labour’s stronghold seats in Govan in 2007, a constituency she battled to win for almost a decade. Self-evidently a rising star within the SNP, when the party formed its first (minority) administration in 2007 Sturgeon swiftly became one of the Scottish Government’s most successful ministers. Her reputation for efficiency and shrewd political judgement grew even more during the referendum negotiations of 2012 and the subsequent independence campaign. By the time Alex Salmond resigned as First Minister and SNP leader in the wake of a No vote Sturgeon was viewed as his inevitable successor. Ten years earlier she’d been perceived as what some called a nippy sweetie’, a street-fighting Glaswegian politician lacking Salmond’s broad populist appeal. But in the intervening period she had softened her image and even begun to outstrip her mentor and boss in terms of voter approval. As the country prepares for a General Election, Nicola Sturgeon could hold the balance of power in her hands, not just in Scotland, but in the United Kingdom.

Nicola Sturgeon: A Political Life

Historical

As MP, MSP, Leader of the SNP, First Minister of Scotland and the most visible presence in the lead-up to the historic Scottish Independence Referendum of 2014, Alex Salmond is undeniably one of the most remarkable figures in Scottish and British political life. Yet despite a high profile career of almost three decades, little is understood about Salmond as a human being – what makes him a Nationalist and what has shaped his political views. In this new edition of his acclaimed biography, David Torrance turns his attention to arguably the most intriguing politician Scotland has produced.

Birlinn Ltd.

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Books by Torrance, David

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Torrance, David. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Witness of the Jews to God

A History of the Scottish Liberals and Liberal Democrats

A History of the Scottish Liberals and Liberal Democrats

A History of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties

A History of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties

Standing Up for Scotland: Nationalist Unionism and Scottish Party Politics, 1884-2014

Standing Up for Scotland: Nationalist Unionism and Scottish Party Politics, 1884-2014

Salmond: Against the Odds

Nicola Sturgeon: A Political Life

Salmond: Against the Odds