The Path to Devolution and Change

Reviews / Votes

'As a Scottish historian, with a particular interest in Scotland's twentieth-century history, I strongly welcome this book. It has the virtue of considering crucial, yet underrated issues in Scotland's recent pre-devolution history, such as the impact of deindustrialisation, the trade union legacy, important non-parliamentary political influences, the distinctiveness of local government, the role of the welfare state and the ever-increasing powers of the Scottish Office. Scotland has tended to be a footnote in histories of the Thatcher years. Yet, Stewart shows explicitly how Conservative policies north of the Border were able to rally cross-party opinion, together with a range of Scottish institutions (e.g. the church, trade unions, local government) into countering what was perceived as a divisive Westminster-imposed Unionist agenda.' - Irene Maver, Senior Lecturer and Head of Scottish Area, Department of Scottish History, University of Glasgow; 'David Stewart displays a detailed knowledge of the field of study and in his careful dissection of existing literature on the topic, shows a good critical sense. This study makes an original contribution to knowledge through its examination of the impact of the Thatcher government in Scotland... The policies of the Thatcher government in Scotland are studied in relation to the post-war consensus and their lack of success is understood in relation to the continuing popularity of that consensus in Scotland and the ability of Scottish civil society to organise in defence of it. It has added relevance at the present time, given recent events in Scottish politics and the continuing ascendancy of the SNP. This book will be of interest to all who study British politics and contemporary British history.' - Andrew Gamble, Professor of Politics, University of Cambridge