History of the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Parties

David Torrance is a constitutional specialist at the House of Commons Library. He is also the author or editor of more than 20 books on Scottish politics, history and biography, including five with EUP. He completed a PhD in history and political science at the University of the West of Scotland in 2017. His most recent book was The Wild Men: The Remarkable Story of Britain’s First Labour Government (Bloomsbury Continuum, 2024).

• Introduction 1 ‘A Distant and Whiggish Country’: 1832–1882 2 ‘The True National Party of Scotland’: 1882–1911 3 ‘A Birth, a Marriage or a Funeral’? 1911–1924 4 Unionist Scotland: 1924–1945 5 ‘Scottish Control of Scottish Affairs’: 1945–1964 6 Reaching Rock Bottom: 1964–1970 7 ‘We in Scotland’: 1979–1997 8 The Wilderness Years: 1997–2011 9 Out of the Wilderness? 2011–2023 Conclusion Appendix 1 – Party Leaders Appendix 2 – Election Results Bibliography Index

This is a lucidly written study covering almost two centuries of Conservative and Unionist politics in Scotland. It provides an insightful guide to ideology and policy; party organisation; leadership; electoral fortunes; and support base. It also illuminates the particular political challenges involved in the defence of a multi-national Union.