Is the Union Now Secure: The Scottish Independence Referendum and Its Aftermath

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

The Scottish Referendum 2014 is an analysis of why the Scottish independence referendum happened, how and why Scotland ultimately voted 'No', and public attitudes towards the steps that should now be taken following the No vote. Produced by a team headed by John Curtice, Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde and the country's leading expert on electoral behaviour and social attitudes, this definitive book provides an accessible account of the origins, outcome and consequences of the independence referendum held in Scotland in September 2014. As such, it addresses three main questions: First, why did the referendum happen Was it the product of growing support for independence since 1999 stimulated, perhaps, by the experience of devolution, or was it a political accident Second, has the outcome secured Scotland's position in the Union Did the level and the character of support for staying in the Union suggest that a clear majority of people in Scotland are now firmly committed to remaining in the UK Third, what should happen now Could further devolution provide the basis for a stable constitutional settlementOr will it simply expose new tensions and difficulties This is a must-read for anyone with an interest in Scotland's future relationship with the rest of the UK.

Author Bio

John Curtice is Professor of Politics at the University of Strathclyde. Jan Eichborn is Chancellor's Fellow in Social Policy at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh. Rachel Ormston is Senior Research Director at ScotCen and co-director of Scottish Social Attitudes survey. Lindsay Paterson is Professor of Educational Policy at the School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh.