Scotland Decides: The Devolution Issue and the 1997 Referendum (Hardcover)

Review
'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

'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 Politics

'This book represents an extremely valuable contribution to the literature and must be highly recommended.' - Regional and Federal Studies

Contemporary British History
an exceptional book which reveals the motives and aspirations of Scottish Voters

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

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 Politics

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, 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

Product Description
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.
The authors also take a look at the developments in the politics of devolution and examine the new parliament's prospects. In addition to being a study of a significant event in the politics of the United Kingdom, this book makes a contribution to the growing literature on the use of referendums both in Britain and the rest of the world.