An Important Matter of Principle: The Decline of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party / Edition 1

by David Seawright

Overview

First published in 1999, this book examines the dramatic decline of the Conservative Party in Scotland. In 1955 the party secured over 50 per cent of the Scottish vote. At the last election it won a mere 17 per cent of the vote, losing its representation at Westminster in the process. But, until the publication of this work and despite its importance, relatively little was known about why the Conservative Party had declined so precipitously in Scotland. Many of the explanations for the party’s decline had largely remained untested. These included that the party had lost its Protestant base, suffered for its opposition to devolution and become too right wing for a normally progressive Scottish electorate. Using a unique collection of survey data, this work casts doubt on all three claims. Thus, this book makes a major academic contribution and examines, what for the Scottish Unionists, was An Important Matter of Principle.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138610675
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/30/2020
Series:	Routledge Revivals
Pages:	226
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

David Seawright

Table of Contents

List of Tables vii

Acknowledgements ix

Introduction 1

1 Changes in Organisational Structure 7

2 Factions and Tendencies 35

3 Social Structure 55

4 Religious Cleavage: An Elite/Mass Level Divide? 73

5 Religious Dealignment? 93

6 Devolution, a Scottish Card? 111

7 The Unionist Party 127

8 The Imperial Factor 147

9 Social Democratic Culture or the 'Economy Stupid'? 157

10 The Scottish Press 179

Conclusion 195

Appendix 207

Bibliography 209

Editorial Reviews

’...a fascinating and important study of the Scottish Conservatives. It challenges orthodox interpretations and offers new insights into the party’s decline. The accepted wisdom will have to be revised or, at least, refashioned following David Seawright’s work.’ Professor James Mitchell, author, 'Conservatives and the Union',

From the Publisher

Building upon his 1994 doctoral study at the U. of Strathclyde, Seawright (U. of Lincolnshire and Humberside) investigates why the Conservative and Unionist Party has declined from securing half the Scottish vote in 1955 to only a quarter in the 1992 election<--> despite holding its own in Britain. Factors include Scotland's changing power structures, religious cleavage, the imperial factor, "the economy stupid," the press, and a new interpretation of the symbolic power of Unionism. Tables illustrate the disparity of voting trends in Scotland and England by religion and other demographics. Lacks an index. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews